An important update for all Massachusetts employers from Mass Tax Connect:
“Update on the correct dates for the HIRD filing for 2019
We recently sent out a notice to you on the filing of the Health Insurance Responsibility Disclosure (HIRD) with dates for 2018 instead of 2019. We apologize for that error and would like to correct it. We have included corrected information below.
The filing period for 2019 was moved back a couple of weeks this year to November 15 through December 15. You will find FAQs that will answer your questions on what’s required, how to submit the form and much more here.
We understand that if you are a third party administrator you received a copy of each message sent to your clients resulting in multiple copies of the same message. We are working on eliminating duplicate messages going forward and apologize for adding unnecessarily to your inbox.
2019 Annual Health Insurance Responsibility Disclosure Reporting Requirement
The Health Insurance Responsibility Disclosure (HIRD) is a state reporting requirement in Massachusetts, which launched in 2018. State law* requires every employer in Massachusetts with six or more employees to annually submit a HIRD form, which collects information about your employer-sponsored insurance offerings. The HIRD reporting requirement is administered by MassHealth and the Department of Revenue through your MassTaxConnect (MTC) account.
To file your HIRD form, login to your MTC withholding account and select the “File health insurance responsibility disclosure” hyperlink under the “I Want To” section. The HIRD form will be available to be filled out starting November 15 and must be completed by December 15, 2019.
For payroll entities that may manage employers’ filings on MTC:
While the employer is responsible for ensuring that the HIRD form is timely filed, either the employer or the payroll company may file the HIRD form on MTC. You and the employer should coordinate HIRD reporting in order to ensure that the HIRD form is properly filed.
The HIRD form may be completed by logging into an employer’s MTC withholding account and selecting the “File health insurance responsibility disclosure” hyperlink under the “I Want To” section. The HIRD form will be available to be filled out starting November 15 and must be completed by December 15, 2019.
The HIRD form will be used to assist MassHealth in identifying its members with access to qualifying insurance who may be eligible for the MassHealth Premium Assistance Program. The Premium Assistance Program helps eligible working individuals and families pay for qualifying employer-sponsored insurance. For more information, please reference the FAQ section of MTC specifically relating to the HIRD form. If you have any further questions or concerns after reviewing the FAQs, you may contact the Department of Revenue’s customer service center at 617-466-3940 and choose the option to speak with a HIRD representative.”