2018 Tax Year Form 1095-C Employer-Provided Health Insurance Offer and Coverage

Certain employers must provide federal form (referred to as a Form 1095-C) to the IRS and employees concerning the health insurance coverage that was offered by the employer to all full-time employees, individuals entitled to an offer of coverage, and to anyone else who is covered by the employer’s health plan.

Initially, employers were required to distribute the Form 1095-C to employees/former employees by January 31, 2019, however; the IRS extended the distribution deadline to March 4, 2019. We have collaborated with Plansource to manage the process; Plansource will mail Form 1095-C no later than March 4, 2019.

Taxpayers can prepare and file their returns as they normally would. You do not have to wait for Form 1095-C to file your tax return.

While you do not need to attach form your tax filing, once you receive Form 1095-C, please review your form for accuracy and retain this form with your other important tax records.

You can use the following documents to help you prepare your taxes and as proof of your insurance coverage:

• Insurance Cards
• Explaination of Benefits
• Statement of Benefits
• W-2 or payroll statements reflecting health insurance deductions.
• Other statements indicating that you or a member of your family had health care coverage.

• You won’t need to send the IRS proof of your health coverage; however, you should keep it with your other tax records. For more information, visit the IRS website at irs.gov.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact: Maria Belmares Herrera at (616) 234-4052 or Debra Davis at (616) 234-4175.

SLT Profile: Health and Safety

The Health and Safety team is a relatively new cross-college team, which was started following a college-sponsored risk-management audit.

Team members include:

• Vicki Janowiak, Operational Planning
• Jim Peterson, Financial Services & Risk Management
• Jeff Danner, School of Workforce Development
• Dan Groh, Physical Sciences
• Maria Herrera-Belmares, Human Resources
• Mansfield Matthewson, Purchasing
• Scott Martin, Facilities
• Rick Vanderveen, Ford Fieldhouse
• Becky Whitman, GRCC Campus Police
• Nick Pinckney, Manufacturing
• Dawn Zuidgeest-Craft, Nursing
• Infection Control Officer Kelli Fedder, Dental

As a result of the audit, the Risk Management Oversight team was established, and the Health and Safety team was formed as a sub-team of the Risk Management Oversight Team to:

• Assess health and safety needs.
• Update policies and procedures.
• Promote and monitor compliance and community responsibility.

The first major effort of the team was to update the Hazard Communication Policy. The team is now working on long overdue updates to the Chemical Hygiene and Lab Safety Policy and plan, and the Bloodborne Pathogens and Exposure Control Policy and plan. Future work will include completing the Communicable Disease Policy, and then taking the four policies to the college policy committee for approval.

Work in 2017-18 will also include:

• Implementing procedures and reporting requirements for each of the policies.
• Providing information online.
• Establishing review and monitoring process.

Mileage rate changing Jan. 1, 2016

The IRS has announced that the business standard mileage rate for transportation expenses paid or incurred beginning Jan. 1, 2016, will be 54 cents per mile, down 3.5 cents from the 2015 $57.5 cent per mile rate.

Changes made to policies

Changes were recently made to several college policies:

9.5 Use of the College Name, Seal, and Emblem/Logo: Revised

• Clarified the overall purpose of the policy
• Defined the ownership of the policy
• Removed the following sections of the policy as these areas are incorporated into the work of the communication department in department procedures:
  • Publication and Image
  • College Promotions and Outreach Procedures

6.2 Equal Employment Opportunity and Non-Discrimination

• Updated EEO Policy to add the following protected characteristics and associated definitions: “sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, political affiliation and familial status….”
• Updated to be consistent with the newly updated Sexual Misconduct Policy, recent legislation regarding Title IX (VAWA), and LGBT Workers Executive Order signed by President Obama July 2014.
• Updated to include protected categories under Title VII
• Specifically referencing “sexual orientation” and “gender identity or expression” sends a clear message that all employees will be respected and able to work free of any kind of harassment, and that no form of harassment or offensive conduct directed at individuals based on sexual orientation or gender identity will be tolerated.
• The previous version of the policy stated that “any supervisor who experiences, witnesses or receives a written or oral report or complaint of discrimination or related retaliation shall promptly report it to the Office of General Counsel.”  We have changed that statement to say “any employee” as it is every employee’s responsibility to make sure that concerns are properly forward to be addressed once they are made aware of them.

14.9 Camera Phone and Related Technology: Elimination

• Policy unnecessary. This policy simply restates current law.

11.8 Mobile Devices and Data Service Plans: Elimination

• Policy unnecessary as this process should be a departmental procedure.

Additional policy changes are as follows:

• http://grcc.edu/sites/default/files/docs/policies/7-10_grading_policy.pdf
• 10 Grading Policy (revised) Policy Section 7.0 Subsection 7.10

Effective July 1, 2014

• Revised the Withdraw and “I” policy language.

–Language regarding the potential impact of W grades on financial aid and at transfer schools was added.

–A statement indicating that the incomplete grade is only applicable in extenuating circumstances was added. A statement regarding the approximate portion of the course that must be completed (90%) in units of time or points before an incomplete grade can be assigned was added.

http://grcc.edu/sites/default/files/docs/policies/8-18_children_in_the_classroom_and_on_campus.pdf

• 18 Children in the Classroom (revised) Policy Section 8.0 Subsection 8.18

Effective July 1, 2014

• This policy was revised to include a classroom and campus policy. Children accompanying visitors, employees or students of GRCC must be under the constant supervision of a responsible adult while on GRCC property.

http://grcc.edu/sites/default/files/docs/policies/8-27_act_cut-score.pdf

• 27 ACT Cut Scores(revised) Policy Section 8.0 Subsection 8.27

Effective July 1, 2014

• This policy was reviewed and upon review of bench marking data, the team determined that GRCC’s ACT composite score of 18 was consistent with other community colleges. No change was made.

http://grcc.edu/sites/default/files/docs/policies/8-5_catalog_policy.pdf

• 5 Student Rights/Program Requirements-Catalog Year (new) Policy Section 8.0 Subsection 8.5

Effective July 1, 2014

• This policy clarifies for GRCC students what program requirement will be used for their graduation audit, to allow students to align their course selections to these Catalog requirements.

http://grcc.edu/sites/default/files/docs/policies/3-8_audiovisual_captioning.pdf

• 8 Audiovisual Captioning Policy (new) (revised) Policy Section 3.0 Subsection 3.8

Effective July 1, 2014

• Captioning in a given situation may be Required, Advised, or Not Required, as indicated in the full policy. This policy complies with a federal mandate to provide access to equal and effective communication for all students, staff, and community members. The purpose of this policy is to make the campus community aware of our responsibility, resources available to address shortcomings, and appropriate courses of action to take in select scenarios.

Business Standard Mileage Rate Decreases to 56¢ in 2014

The IRS has announced that the business standard mileage rate for transportation expenses paid or incurred beginning January 1, 2014, will be 56 cents per mile, down one half cent from the 56.5 cents rate in effect during 2013 [Notice 2013-80, released 12-6-13].

Why wait for your 2013 W-2, when you can receive it early electronically

If you have already given consent, you do not need to consent again. Consent already given is valid for all future years. You will automatically receive an email notification when your 2013 W-2 is available. However, if you would like to revoke your electronic consent in order to receive a paper W-2, please go to the link below and follow the instructions to revoke consent, no later January 15^th.

Employees who have not already given consent to receive their W-2 electronically can choose to do so before January 15^th, and then will receive an email notification when their W-2 is available. By consenting to receive your W-2 electronically, you agree to view and/or print your W-2 through GRCC’s employee self-service. You will no longer receive a paper copy, but you can print the electronic version as often as you would like.

Paper W-2’s are still available and will be mailed no later than January 31^st, to those employees who have not given consent to receive their W-2 electronically. Reissued W-2 statements or additional copies will not be available until March 1^st, and there will be a $10.00 service charge.

Instructions to provide or revoke consent can be found at http://cms.grcc.edu/payroll-and-benefits/forms/year-end.

If you have any questions, or would like to verify your consent status, please contact the payroll department.

Important Year End Payroll Information

Verify Personal Information

• Verify your personal information through GRCC self-service by following the instructions found at http://cms.grcc.edu/payrollandbenefits/forms/yearend. Any personal information changes should be emailed to Human Resources at hr@grcc.edu no later than January 3, 2014 to be reflected on your 2013 W-2.

Update your Tax Withholding Forms

•  New tax forms should be completed if your filing status or exemption allowances have changed.
• If you are currently claiming exemption on your Federal or State taxes, you are required to complete a new W-4 no later than February 1, 2014.
• Tax forms are available on the payroll web page at http://cms.grcc.edu/payrollandbenefits/forms.

Print a copy of your last 2013 pay stub with year to date information

•  If you would like a copy of your last 2013 pay stub with year to date information, please be sure to print your December 20, 2013 pay stub no later Monday, December 23^rd. Year to date information will only be available on your last pay stub of 2013, until we process the first check of 2014.

For Informational Purposes Only

•  The 2014 Social Security tax rate is schedule to remain 6.2%, and the Medicare tax rate remains 1.45%
• The 2014 social security wage base will be $117, 000.00
• The 2014 limitation for elective deferrals under a 403(b) or 457(b) will remain $17,500, and the additional catch up provision for individuals age 50 and over will remain $5,500.00

 

 

 

 

 

Flu shots available today

This flu season, don’t get caught without your flu vaccine. Protect yourself by getting vaccinated.

Flu shots will be provided to GRCC staff. Students are excluded. Cost to GRCC Staff will be $17 cash or check payable to GRCC. Flu shots will be administered by Spectrum Health Visiting Nurses.

Employees covered under Priority Health, WMHIP or MESSA must bring their insurance cards in order for Spectrum Health to bill on your behalf.

Flu Shot Clinic
Thursday, October 31, 2013
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
(ATC) Banquet Room 118

Benefit fair is today

The 2013 Annual GRCC Benefit Fair is Thursday October 31, 2013 from 11:00am thru 3:00pm in the ATC Building. Stop by for a 5 minute chair massage, participate in various raffles, and meet with participating vendors. You can even get your flu shot!!!

Flu shots offered on October 31

This flu season, don’t get caught without your flu vaccine. Protect yourself by getting vaccinated.

Flu shots will be provided to GRCC staff. Students are excluded. Cost to GRCC Staff will be $17 cash or check payable to GRCC. Flu shots will be administered by Spectrum Health Visiting Nurses.

Employees covered under Priority Health, WMHIP or MESSA must bring their insurance cards in order for Spectrum Health to bill on your behalf.

Flu Shot Clinic
Thursday, October 31, 2013
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
(ATC) Banquet Room 118

Benefit fair set for October 31

The 2013 Annual GRCC Benefit Fair is Thursday October 31, 2013 from 11:00am thru 3:00pm in the ATC Building. Stop by for a 5 minute chair message, participate in various raffles, and meet with participating vendors. You can even get your flu shot!!!

GRCC hosts benefit fair

The 2013 Annual GRCC Benefit Fair is Thursday October 31, 2013 from 11:00am thru 3:00pm in the ATC Building. Stop by for a 5 minute chair message, participate in various raffles, and meet with participating vendors. You can even get your flu shot!!!

GRCC hosts benefit fair

The 2013 Annual GRCC Benefit Fair is Thursday October 31, 2013 from 11:00am thru 3:00pm in the ATC Building. Stop by for a 5 minute chair message, participate in various raffles, and meet with participating vendors. You can even get your flu shot!!!

Flu shots scheduled for October 31

This flu season, don’t get caught without your flu vaccine. Protect yourself by getting vaccinated.

Flu shots will be provided to GRCC staff. Students are excluded. Cost to GRCC Staff will be $17 cash or check payable to GRCC. Flu shots will be administered by Spectrum Health Visiting Nurses.

Employees covered under Priority Health, WMHIP or MESSA must bring their insurance cards in order for Spectrum Health to bill on your behalf.

Flu Shot Clinic
Thursday, October 31, 2013
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
(ATC) Banquet Room 118

Flu shot clinic scheduled for October 31

This flu season, don’t get caught without your flu vaccine. Protect yourself by getting vaccinated.

Flu shots will be provided to GRCC staff. Students are excluded. Cost to GRCC Staff will be $17 cash or check payable to GRCC. Flu shots will be administered by Spectrum Health Visiting Nurses.

Employees covered under Priority Health, WMHIP or MESSA must bring their insurance cards in order for Spectrum Health to bill on your behalf.

Flu Shot Clinic
Thursday, October 31, 2013
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
(ATC) Banquet Room 118