The IRS has issued several key draft instructions for forms related to information returns required of employers, health insurers, and health exchange marketplaces under the Affordable Care Act.

The draft instructions, which were issued August 28, are for Form 1095-A, Health Insurance Marketplace Statement; Forms 1094-B and 1095-B; and Forms 1094-C and 1095-C.

The IRS said the forms and their accompanying instructions will help taxpayers reconcile the amount of advance premium tax credits they may have received during the year to pay for health insurance with their actual income. They will also help employers demonstrate satisfaction of the health coverage requirements under the health care law. In some instances, individuals may owe additional taxes if they received advance PTCs in excess of what they should have received, or they may receive tax refunds.

Form 1095-A will be issued by a health insurance marketplace to individuals who enrolled in a health plan through the marketplace. It will be issued to both individuals and the IRS, similar to a Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement. The draft form 1095-A is available here; the draft instructions for Form 1095-A are available here.

Form 1095-B, Health Coverage, will be issued by health insurers and provides information on who provided a taxpayer's health insurance coverage, the type of coverage, who in the household was covered and for which months during the year. The draft form 1095-B is available here; the draft instructions for Form 1094-B and 1095-B are available here.

Form 1095-C, Employer-Provided Health Insurance Offer and Coverage, will be filed by large employers to report to the IRS on health care coverage offered to full-time employees. ACA defines full-time employee as someone who works an average of 30 hours or more per week. The form shows whether the employer provided insurance, who was covered, for which months and whether the employer made an offer of coverage. The draft Form 1094-C and 1095-C is available here; the draft instructions for Form 1094-C and 1095-C are available here.

Taxpayers will not be required to file Forms 1094-B, 1095-B, 1094-C and 1095-C for tax year 2014, but will be for 2015.

The IRS is seeking comment on the forms through notices that are to appear in the September 2 Federal Register. Comments on the forms are due November 3 and should be sent to Stacey Becker, IRS, Room 6526, 111 Constitution Ave., N.W., Washington DC 20224 or to Christie.A.Preston@irs.gov