What paperwork is involved in formally installing a Section 125 Flex Plan?
In addition to each employee completing an election enrollment form, the IRS requires your Company to have a Plan in writing and a Summary Plan Description. FlexBank will provide you with all the required materials you need to get started.
Do we need to file a Form 5500 for a Flexible Spending Account?
Generally no, unless you have 100 or more participants in the health care account at the beginning of the plan year. If you are required to file a Form 5500, FlexBank offers this service as well.
Must the employer report FSA contributions on the employees’ W-2?
Starting in tax year 2012, the Affordable Care Act is requiring employers that file 250 or more Forms W-2 for the preceding calendar year to report the aggregate reportable cost of applicable employer-sponsored health insurance coverage provided on each employee’s annual Form W-2, in box 12, using code DD. Aggregate reportable cost does not include […]
How can we know if our employees are interested in a Flex Plan before we go to any expense?
FlexBank does not normally charge a fee for pre-determining employee interest.
How does FlexBank pre-determine employee interest?
We utilize our normal employee presentation. The only exception is that we tell employees at the beginning of the meeting that we will proceed only if there are enough employees who are interested after hearing about the program. The Company is not obligated until employee interest and Plan costs are known.
Where do I deposit the employee payroll deductions that are withheld?
You, the employer, establish a separate checking account for these monies. As the money is withheld each pay period, it is deposited into this reimbursement checking account. The account may be at the bank of your choice and any type of checking account that you desire. Monies deducted for group insurance premiums are not deposited […]
Since employees are saving Social Security taxes by participating in the plan, will Social Security benefit payments to them be reduced at retirement?
Yes, but the impact will be minimal.
Do all employees have to participate?
An employer may choose to require all employees to participate in the group insurance premium part of a Flex Plan. This may be done as some payroll systems do not have the ability to allow for dual choice. Contributing to the Health Care Reimbursement Account or the Work-Related Dependent Care Reimbursement Account is annually at […]
Can an employee change an election after the plan year has begun?
Yes, but under limited circumstances. Permissible mid-year changes are primarily due to changes in eligibility and must be on account of and consistent with the requested change. Some examples are: marriage or divorce death of a spouse or child birth or adoption of a child a change of employment status
Can we establish a group insurance Premium Only Plan?
Yes. This is the easiest type of plan to install. Although essentially the same paperwork is required, a POP has less administration to it. But installing just a POP needlessly keeps employees from benefiting from the other two tax advantages permitted by Section 125.