Affordable Care Act Information Returns (AIR)

To meet federal security standards, the IRS must enhance the User Interface (UI) Testing and Production Channels with a stronger, one-time identity proofing process. The IRS must verify the individual using this tool and is requesting additional personal information.

Beginning June 16, 2019, some returning users must upgrade their account access by choosing one of three options to validate their identities. This is a one-time process. These options also will be incorporated into the verification process for new users. To be successful, users should review these options carefully.

IMPORTANT NOTE: No action may be necessary for users who have previously provided financial account or mobile phone information as part of an identity verification process for another tool. This includes users who already have access to IRS e-Services, ACA Application for Transmitter Control Code or personal tools such as Get Transcript or IP PIN. 

Returning users who need to complete this one-time verification will be asked to provide this information after logging in with their existing username and password.

Option 1 – Provide a personal financial account number
The IRS will accept one of six financial account numbers:

• Credit card – last 8 digits (no American Express, debit or corporate cards)
• Student loan
• Mortgage or home equity loan
• Home equity line of credit (HELOC)
• Auto loan

Option 2 – Provide a personal mobile phone number
The phone cannot be a business-issued phone. It must be:

• A U.S.-based phone, and
• Associated with your name and address.

Option 3 – Request an activation code by mail
At your request, the IRS will mail a code number to your home address of record with the IRS. Please note:

• Allow 10 business days for delivery.
• Return to the site within 30 days to enter the code and complete the identify verification process.
• If you need immediate access, use one of the other options.

If you need assistance contact the AIR Help Desk at 866-937-4130.

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

10/4/2019:

Beginning 11/1/2019, AATS WSDLs: Use the package named "FS20-TY19 AATS WSDL Package Nov 2019.”

Production WSDLs: Use the package named "FS20-TY19 Production WSDL Package Jan 2020."

AIR no longer supports SHA-1 from the accepted Signature and Digest methods used to digitally sign ISS-A2A transmissions. The ISS-A2A Gateway accepts SHA-256, SHA-384 and SHA-512 algorithms during the validation of WS-Security.

5/21/2019:

Beginning September 30, 2019, the encryption level for the ISS - A2A and AATS - A2A Channels will be TLS 1.2, exclusively.  Transmitters must ensure their encryption is set to TLS 1.2 to submit SOAP transmissions to AIR via the A2A Channel.
 

2019

• AIR TCCs for Transmitters and Issuers that are in Production status will remain in Production status. No additional testing is needed for Tax Year 2019.
• 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 2019 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.

2018

To generate tax year 2018 returns in AATS and Production, use:

• Manifest file from tax year 2019 schema package
• Form data file from tax year 2018 schema package
• PaymentYr value “2018”
• PriorYearDataInd value “1”
• Software Id for 2018 (2018 software Ids start with 18XXXXXXXX)

2017

To generate tax year 2017 returns in AATS and Production, use:

• Manifest file from tax year 2019 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 2019 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 2019 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.

The Application to Application (A2A) Transmission Checklist and User Interface (UI) Transmission Checklist are now located in Publication 5165 and Publication 5258.

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 2019) (PDF)

Publication 5165, Guide for Electronically Filing Affordable Care Act (ACA) Information Returns for Software Developers and Transmitters (October 2019) (PDF)

Publication 5258, Affordable Care Act (ACA) Information Returns (AIR) Submission Composition and Reference Guide (November 2019) (PDF)

Publication 5308, AIR Automated Enrollment Guide (November 2019) (PDF)