When headlines turn to a federal government shutdown, employers often wonder how it might affect their compliance responsibilities—especially around Affordable Care Act (ACA) reporting. The short answer: ACA reporting requirements remain in place, even if certain government operations pause.

ACA Reporting Requirements Continue

A government shutdown does not suspend or delay ACA filing and distribution obligations. Employers are still required to meet all ACA deadlines, including:

• Providing Form 1095-C to employees
• Submitting required information to the IRS

These obligations are set by federal law and continue regardless of the status of government funding.

Expect Possible Delays from the IRS

While your reporting deadlines remain unchanged, you may experience delays in IRS services during a shutdown. Reduced staffing and furloughs of non-essential federal employees can affect IRS response times.

Electronic systems like the Affordable Care Act Information Returns (AIR) platform typically remain available, but employers may notice:

• Slower processing times
• Delays in receiving receipt IDs
• Limited access to IRS support and assistance

These interruptions can make it more challenging to resolve filing issues or confirm submission statuses, so plan accordingly.

Staying Compliant During a Shutdown

Even if the federal government slows down, your compliance efforts shouldn’t. Employers should continue to:

• Prepare and file all ACA forms on time
• Maintain documentation for all submissions and communications
• Allow extra time for potential administrative delays

By staying proactive, employers can maintain compliance, avoid penalties, and keep ACA reporting on track—no matter what’s happening in Washington.

Disclaimer: Selerix does not provide legal, regulatory or tax guidance, or advice. If legal advice counsel or representation is needed, the services of a legal professional should be sought. The information in this post is intended to provide a general overview of the topics and services contained herein. Selerix makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of the post and undertakes no obligation to update or revise the post based upon new information or future changes.