Employees may opt out of receiving paper IRS Forms W-2 and 1095-C through the mail, and instead may obtain these forms electronically for the 2016 tax year. Downloading forms electronically provides quicker access, is more environmentally friendly and helps Yale New Haven Health System save the cost of expensive postage.

The W-2 form reports annual earnings and 1095-C form reports employer-provided health insurance offered and coverage.

Employees must actively opt in to be able to electronically download forms when they become available in January. If you take no action, paper copies will automatically be mailed to your home. Links to opt in are posted on the Employee Self Service (ESS) dashboard and YNHHS Human Resources intranet landing page. Deadlines are Dec. 15 for the 1095-C and Dec. 31 for the W-2.

If you opt in, you will be able to download your forms as soon as they are approved for processing and no later than Jan. 31, 2017 – the same date paper copies will be mailed. Employees who have their forms mailed should be sure their correct home address is in ESS by Dec. 24.

As a reminder, the W-2 form is provided to all employees who receive compensation from YNHHS in a given year. The 1095-C form will be provided to most, but not all, employees, based on Affordable Care Act requirements and hours worked. Key information from both forms is required for employees to file their taxes, and the forms should be kept with tax records. A 1095-C fact sheet, including information on who will receive that form, is posted on ESS and the YNHHS HR intranet.