Health and Welfare

On June 17, 2021, the United States Supreme Court held that the plaintiffs did not have standing to pursue an action under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) because the individual mandate is unenforceable and, as such, “unenforceable language is insufficient to establish standing.” Regarding the states, the Supreme Court held that the "pocketbook injuries" cannot be traced to the government’s unlawful conduct. The Supreme Court failed to consider whether reducing the penalty to zero rendered the individual mandate unconstitutional and, in turn, if the individual mandate is unconstitutional, whether the individual mandate is severable from the remainder of the PPACA.

On May 18, the IRS issued Notice 2021-31, which provides guidance affecting COBRA premium assistance pursuant to the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA). The notice includes 86 questions that clarify the application of the premium assistance to group health plans, employee eligibility, determination of the premium subsidy amount, and the advance payment or quarterly offset of taxes for employers.

IRS Revenue Procedure (Rev. Proc.) 2021-25 provides the 2022 inflation-adjusted amounts for health savings accounts (HSAs) and the maximum amount that may be made newly available for expected benefit health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs).

On May 10, 2021, the IRS released Notice 2021-26, which addresses the taxation of dependent care benefits available during taxable years ending in 2021 or 2022 because of a carryover or extended claims period enacted under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (CAA).  This notice clarifies that amounts that would have been excluded in the prior tax year remain excludable from income in the subsequent tax year. In particular, Notice 2021-26 provides three examples to illustrate when amounts carried over or available under an extended claims period are excludable from income, as follows.

The IRS issued Notice 2021-24, which provides guidance following the passage of the American Rescue Plan of 2021 (ARPA). The Notice provides information regarding the applicable penalty relief available to an employer under the ARPA for failing to pay employment taxes in anticipation of a credit for COBRA premium assistance paid to assistance-eligible individuals.

The Department of Labor (DOL) Wage and Hour Division is withdrawing the independent contractor rule that was scheduled to take effect on May 7, 2021. The rule had previously been delayed from its original effective date of March 7, 2021. The withdrawal of the rule is scheduled to be published in the Federal Register May 6, 2021.

In response to the requirements under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) to provide model notices and additional guidance in relation to COBRA premium assistance, the Department of Labor has issued model notices and frequently asked questions (FAQs). The FAQs confirm the following.

President Biden has signed legislation that funds another round of assistance as the nation copes with the health and economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Several previous bills in 2020 provided direct cash benefits to Americans, created a small business lending program to help employers retain employees, and provided enhanced access to tax-favored retirement savings.

President Biden has signed into law the American Rescue Plan Act one day after the House of Representatives voted to pass the amended package. Several provisions directly affect tax-advantaged savings arrangements.

Following Senate passage on Saturday, the House of Representatives has passed by a vote of 220-211 the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to provide additional relief to address the continued impact of COVID-19. Included in the package are several items that would affect retirement and health benefits.