It’s tax time — Be on the lookout for W-2 and 1095 forms

By now you should be able to access your W-2 form in myUFL or the ONE.UF application, or you should soon be receiving it in the mail if you did not give consent to access it electronically. In addition to filing your W-2, the IRS requires reporting of health insurance coverage information for the 2021 federal income tax reporting year. While it is not necessary to include the 1095 forms with your tax return, you’ll need to include your insurance information on your tax return. 

Be sure to watch your mail for important tax documents and safeguard them with your other tax reporting documents. If you participate in a State of Florida-sponsored PPO or HMO healthcare plan, you should receive your 1095 form in February unless you opted to receive it electronically. GatorCare participants will receive their 1095 forms by mail in the weeks to come; there is not an electronic version for GatorCare plans. 

Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about the 1095 tax reporting requirement. 

Why am I getting an IRS Form 1095? 
IRS Forms 1095-B and 1095-C provide health coverage information for you and your covered dependent(s) for tax reporting purposes. You are required to report and provide proof of minimum essential health coverage for you and your dependent(s), if any, on your federal income tax return. 

What are IRS Form 1095-B and IRS Form 1095-C? 
IRS Forms 1095-B and 1095-C provide information you need to report minimum essential health coverage for you and your dependent(s), if any, on your income tax return. The employer reports the offer of minimum essential coverage on IRS Form 1095-C. Enrollment in a self-insured plan is also provided on IRS Form 1095-C. Enrollment in a fully insured plan is reported on IRS Form 1095-B. 

Do I need my Form 1095 to file my taxes? 
No, you do not need to send a copy of your 1095-C to the IRS when filing you tax return, but you should keep the form with your other tax records. 

Does my health insurance plan meet the minimum essential coverage requirement? 
Minimum essential coverage is a type of health insurance policy an individual needed to meet the shared responsibility provision under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). The health insurance coverage offered through the State of Florida/People First and GatorCare group insurance programs are considered minimum essential coverage based on Affordable Care Act (ACA) definitions. 

Who requires these forms and this reporting? 
The IRS requires these forms pursuant to the ACA, which requires most individuals to have minimum essential coverage. 

What should I do with this form? 
Safeguard the 1095 form with your other income tax filing records and use the information on the form to complete your tax return. 

Why did I get multiple forms? 
The most common reasons individuals receive more than one form are: 

  • You are enrolled in a fully insured health insurance plan. You will receive IRS Form 1095-C from your employer and IRS Form 1095-B from your fully insured health plan. 
  • You had more than one employer during the tax reporting year. 
  • You retired or terminated employment during the tax reporting year and continued health insurance as a retiree or under COBRA. 

Whom do I call if I have questions about this form? 
If you have questions about the form, please call your tax preparer or visit the IRS website at http://www.irs.gov/ACA

If you have questions about the personal information on the form (for example, your address or Social Security number is incorrect), please contact UFHR Benefits at (352) 392-2477 or benefits@ufl.edu

What should I do if I did not receive or if I lost the form? 
State health plan participants may log in to People First, click on the “Insurance Benefits” tile and click on “Health Insurance Tax Form.” You may also call the People First Service Center at 866-663-4735 and request a duplicate copy.

GatorCare health plan participants should contact UF Benefits at (352) 392-2477 or benefits@ufl.edu to request a duplicate.