The IRS and the Treasury are giving employers additional time to adjust payroll systems and procedures to meet the requirement to include the cost of employer-sponsored health coverage on employees’ W-2 forms. This reporting requirement was mandated in the 2010 health care reform legislation and was scheduled to take effect with the issuance of W-2 forms for 2011.

Reporting the cost of coverage will be optional for Forms W-2 issued for 2011. Employers who fail to report the cost of health coverage for their employees will not be subject to penalties. The IRS notice included a reminder that the reporting requirement is for informational purposes only. The amount reported on an employee’s W-2 is not taxable income to the employee.