Online AIR Systems
User Interface (UI) ACA Assurance Testing System (AATS)
Log in to upload your test forms or scenarios.
User Interface (UI) Production System
Log in to upload your 1094 and 1095 forms.
Automated Enrollment (AE) for ACA Providers
Upload your certificates when transmitting through the Application to Application (A2A) channel. See Publication 5308, Automated Enrollment for ACA Providers the Externals Guide (PDF) for all activities.
AIR System Operational Status
Overview
Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), insurance companies, self-insured companies, and large businesses and businesses that provide health insurance to their employees must submit information returns to the IRS reporting on individual’s health insurance coverage. You are required to file electronically if submitting 250 or more information returns.
The following can use the AIR System to electronically file ACA information returns to the IRS:
- Software developers
- Employers
- Insurance Issuers or Carriers
- Government Agencies
- Third parties who would submit returns either for their own company and/or for other companies
The ACA information returns include:
- Form 1094-B, Transmittal of Health Coverage Information Returns
- Form 1095-B, Health Coverage
- Form 1094-C, Transmittal of Employer-Provided Health Insurance Offer and Coverage Information Returns
- Form 1095-C, Employer-Provided Health Insurance Offer and Coverage
New filers need to apply for the Affordable Care Act Application for Transmitter Control Code (TCC).
XML Schemas, and other information for software developers and transmitters, who are interested in developing software for the AIR Program, is provided by Tax Year:
In Processing Years 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 AIR will accept Forms 1094-B, 1095-B, 1094-C and 1095-C returns only.
Schemas for AIR by Tax Year
| Tax Year | Form Type |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 1094-B, 1095-B, 1094-C, and 1095-C |
| 2017 | 1094-B, 1095-B, 1094-C, and 1095-C |
| 2016 | 1094-B, 1095-B, 1094-C, and 1095-C |
| 2015 | 1094-B, 1095-B, 1094-C, and 1095-C |
1/7/2019:
AATS WSDLs: Use the package named "FS19-TY18 AATS WSDL Package Nov 2018”.
Production WSDLs: Use the package named "FS19-TY18 Production WSDL Package Jan 2019".
For all Production and AATS transmissions, including prior year returns 2015, 2016 and 2017, use the 2018 manifest.
08/23/2018:
Currently, the ISS-A2A Gateway accepts SHA-1 and higher algorithms (SHA-256, SHA-384 and SHA-512) during the validation of WS-Security. Beginning November (for AATS) and January (for Production), AIR will no longer support SHA-1 from the accepted Signature and Digest methods used to digitally sign ISS-A2A transmissions.
2018
- AIR TCCs for Transmitters and Issuers that are in Production status will remain in Production status. No additional testing is needed for Tax Year 2018.
- Software Developers need to update their ACA Application for TCC each year to obtain a new software identification number for the new tax year
- Software Developers who passed testing for any tax year ending after December 31, 2014 do not need to test for the current tax year. Software IDs are scheduled to move to Production one week from the date the software IDs are assigned.
- When the 2018 software packages are added, Responsible Officials will need to re-sign the ACA Application for TCC.
- AIR Transmissions (both live and test) will reject If the ACA Application for TCC is not signed and in Completed status.
- Allow 48 hours before transmitting to Production after passing any required testing.
2017
To generate tax year 2017 returns in AATS and Production, use:
- Manifest file from tax year 2018 schema package
- Form data file from tax year 2017 schema package
- PaymentYr value “2017”
- PriorYearDataInd value “1”
- Software Id for 2017 (2017 software Ids start with 17XXXXXXXX)
2016
To generate tax year 2016 returns in AATS and Production, use:
- Manifest file from tax year 2018 schema package
- Form data file from tax year 2016 schema package
- PaymentYr value “2016”
- PriorYearDataInd value “1”
- Software Id for 2016 (2016 software Ids start with 16XXXXXXXX)
2015
To generate tax year 2015 returns in AATS and Production, use:
- Manifest file from tax year 2018 schema package
- Form data file from tax year 2015 schema package
- PaymentYr value “2015”
- PriorYearDataInd value “1”
- Software Id for 2015 (2015 software Ids start with 15XXXXXXXX)
Affordable Care Act Assurance Testing System (AATS) Information Returns
Find test scenarios, answers keys and known issues.
User Interface (UI) Transmission Checklist (PDF)
Use this checklist to confirm you are ready to transmit using the UI channel.
Application to Application (A2A) Transmission Checklist (PDF)
Use this checklist to confirm you are ready to transmit using the A2A channel.
Tutorial for Affordable Care Act Application for Transmitter Control Code (PDF)
Find step-by-step guidance on accessing and updating the application.
Publications
Publication 5164, Test Package for Electronic Filers of Affordable Care Act (ACA) Information Returns (AIR) (October 2018) (PDF)
Publication 5165, Guide for Electronically Filing Affordable Care Act (ACA) Information Returns for Software Developers and Transmitters (October 2018) (PDF)
Publication 5258, Affordable Care Act (ACA) Information Returns (AIR) Submission Composition and Reference Guide (October 2018) (PDF)
Publication 5308, AIR Automated Enrollment Guide (August 2018) (PDF)
Contact and News Information
Contact Us
You can submit questions to the AIR Mailbox regarding electronic filing of Forms 1094-B, 1094-C, 1095-B and 1095-C.
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Keep up to date on the events that affect Authorized IRS e-file Providers and Issuers/Payers, Transmitters and Software Developers that will electronically file Affordable Care Act Information Returns.