CO-OP health insurance issuers. A “qualified nonprofit health insurance issuer” that has received a loan or grant under the Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) “CO-OP program” (see below) is exempt from tax, but only for periods during which the issuer meets the following requirements, along with any agreement made with respect to the loan or grant. Code Sec. 501(c)(29)(A) . The tax exemption applies only if: (i) the organization has given notice to “the Secretary” (presumably IRS) in the manner required by regulations, that it is applying for recognition of its status under Code Sec. 501(c)(29) ; (ii) except as provided in item (4), below, no part of the net earnings of the organization inures to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual; (iii) no substantial part of the organization's activities involves carrying-on propaganda, or otherwise attempting, to influence legislation; and (iv) the organization does not participate in, or intervene in (including publishing or distributing statements), any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office. Code Sec. 501(c)(29)(B) . “Qualified nonprofit health insurance issuer” defined. For purposes of the rules providing a tax exemption to CO-OP health insurance issuers (see above), a “qualified nonprofit health insurance issuer” is a health insurance issuer that is an organization: (A) that is organized under state law as a nonprofit, member corporation; (B) substantially all of the activities of which consist of issuing qualified health plans in the individual and small group markets in each state in which it is licensed to issue these plans; and (C) that meets the following additional requirements: Sec. 1322(c)(1), PL 111-148, 3/23/2010 . (1) neither the organization nor a related entity (nor any predecessor of either) could have been a health insurance issuer on July 16, 2009, Sec. 1322(c)(2)(A), PL 111-148, 3/23/2010 ; (2) the organization is not sponsored by a state or local government, any political subdivision thereof, or any instrumentality of a state or local government or political subdivision thereof, Sec. 1322(c)(2)(B), PL 111-148, 3/23/2010 ; (3) the organization must: • be governed according to a majority vote of its members; • have governing documents that incorporate ethics and conflict of interest standards to protect against insurance industry involvement and interference; and • operate with a strong consumer focus, including timeliness, responsiveness, and accountability to its members, as provided in HHS regulations, Sec. 1322(c)(3), PL 111-148, 3/23/2010 ; (4) any profits made by the organization must be used to lower premiums, improve benefits, or be used for other programs intended to improve the quality of health care delivered to its members, Sec. 1322(c)(4), PL 111-148, 3/23/2010 ; (5) the organization must meet all other requirements that other issuers of qualified health plans are required to meet in any state in which the organization offers a qualified health plan, including solvency and licensure requirements, and rules on (i) provider payments, (ii) network adequacy, (iii) rate and form filing, (iv) any applicable state premium assessments, and (v) state insurance reforms, Sec. 1322(c)(5), PL 111-148, 3/23/2010 ; and (6) the organization does not offer a health plan in a state until that state has in effect (or HHS has implemented for the state) the market reforms required by part A of title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 USC 300gg et seq.), as amended. Sec. 1322(c)(6), PL 111-148, 3/23/2010 ; Technical Explanation of the Revenue Provisions of the “Reconciliation Act of 2010,” as Amended, in Combination With the “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act” (JCX-18-10), 3/21/2010, p. 2. “Consumer Operated and Oriented Plan” program defined. For purposes of the rules providing a tax exemption to CO-OP health insurance issuers (see above), the “Consumer Operated and Oriented Plan (CO-OP)” is a program (to be established under the auspices of HHS) designed to foster the creation of qualified nonprofit health insurance issuers who will offer qualified health plans in the individual and small group markets in the states in which the issuers are licensed to offer these plans. Sec. 1322(a), PL 111-148, 3/23/2010 . Under the CO-OP program, HHS will award loans and grants to persons applying to become qualified nonprofit health insurance issuers. The loans and grants will provide assistance in meeting start-up costs and the solvency requirements of the states in which these persons seek to be licensed to issue qualified health plans. Sec. 1322(b)(1), PL 111-148, 3/23/2010 . Prior law. Before Mar. 23, 2010, the rules for CO-OP health insurance issuers were not in effect. Sec. 1322(c)(6), PL 111-148, 3/23/2010 ; Technical Explanation of the Revenue Provisions of the “Reconciliation Act of 2010,” as Amended, in Combination With the “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act” (JCX-18-10), 3/21/2010, p. 2. New guidance on exempt CO-OP health insurance issuers created by health care act Notice 2011-23, 2011-13 IRB In a Notice, IRS has provided guidance on the requirements for the Code Sec. 501(c)(29) tax-exemption for qualified nonprofit health insurance issuers and the annual filing requirement for organizations intending to apply for recognition of such exempt status. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA, P.L. 111-148) added the exemption under Code Sec. 501(c)(29) for “CO-OP health insurance issuers” to the list of organizations exempt from tax under Code Sec. 501(c) . Background. Under the PPACA, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must establish a program, called the “Consumer Operated and Oriented Plan (CO-OP),” to foster the creation of qualified nonprofit health insurance issuers who will offer qualified health plans in the individual and small group markets in the states in which the issuers are licensed to offer these plans. (§1322(a) of PPACA) Under the CO-OP program, HHS will award loans and grants to persons applying to become qualified nonprofit health insurance issuers. The loans and grants will provide assistance in meeting start-up costs and the solvency requirements of the states in which these persons seek to be licensed to issue qualified health plans. (§1322(b)(1) of PPACA) A qualified nonprofit health insurance issuer (Qualified Issuer) is an organization (a) that is organized as a nonprofit, member corporation under State law; (b) substantially all of the activities of which consist of the issuance of qualified health plans in the individual and small group markets in each State in which it is licensed to issue such plans; and (c) that meets certain other specified requirements. (§1322(c)(1) of PPACA) A Qualified Issuer that has received a loan or grant under the CO-OP program may apply to IRS to be recognized as a Code Sec. 501(c)(29) organization that's exempt from taxation under Code Sec. 501(a) . The Qualified Issuer will qualify for such exempt status only for periods that it is in compliance with the requirements of §1322 of the PPACA and any loan or grant agreement with HHS. New guidance. Notice 2011-23, Sec. 4 , provides that an organization is a Code Sec. 501(c)(29) CO-OP health insurance issuer only if: ... It is a Qualified Issuer that has received a loan or grant under the CO-OP program and is in compliance with all requirements of §1322 and any loan or grant agreement with HHS; ... It has given notice to the Treasury Secretary in the manner prescribed by regs that it is applying for recognition of its Code Sec. 501(c)(29) exempt status; ... No part of its net earnings inure to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual, except as provided in §1322(c)(4) of PPACA (which requires profits to be used to lower premiums, improve benefits, or for other programs intended to improve the quality of health care delivered to the organization's members); ... No substantial part of its activities consist of carrying on propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation; and ... It doesn't participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distributing of statements), any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office. Notice 2011-23, Sec. 5 , indicates that in addition to the general information that must be included in its annual information return, under Code Sec. 6033(m) , a tax-exempt Code Sec. 501(c)(29) CO-OP health insurance issuer must include the amount of reserves required by each State in which the organization is licensed to issue qualified health plans and the amount of reserves on hand. Notice 2011-23, Sec. 6 , provides that under Code Sec. 4958(e)(1) , a tax-exempt Code Sec. 501(c)(29) CO-OP health insurance issuer is an “applicable tax-exempt organization” subject to Code Sec. 4958 (which imposes excise taxes on disqualified persons who improperly benefit from excess benefit transactions). For purposes of the excess benefit transaction rules, an applicable tax-exempt organization is any Code Sec. 501(c)(3) or Code Sec. 501(c)(4) organization that's exempt from tax under Code Sec. 501(a) . Notice 2011-23, Sec. 9 , notes that the provisions of §1322 of the PPACA (including Code Sec. 501(c)(29) , Code Sec. 6033(m) , and Code Sec. 4958(e) ) are effective beginning on Mar. 23, 2010 (PPACA's enactment date). Application for exemption. Notice 2011-23, Sec. 7 , indicates that IRS intends to publish a revenue procedure describing how an organization may apply for recognition of exempt status as an organization under Code Sec. 501(c)(29) . Until such guidance is published, IRS will not accept applications. The revenue procedure will provide that a Qualified Issuer may not submit its request for recognition of exemption under Code Sec. 501(c)(29) until it has entered into an agreement with HHS under §1322(b)(2)(C) of the PPACA. Notice 2011-23, Sec. 7 , explains that IRS intends to recognize a Qualified Issuer that has received a loan or grant under the CO-OP program as exempt effective from the later of the date of its formation or Mar. 23, 2010, if the Qualified Issuer's purposes and activities have been consistent with the requirements for exemption since that date. To be recognized as exempt from the date of its formation, a Qualified Issuer must have met the conditions of Code Sec. 501(c)(29)(B)(ii) through (iv) A Qualified Issuer claiming Code Sec. 501(c)(29) exempt status that has filed or intends to file an application for exemption should file Form 990, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax, for tax years that end before it receives a determination letter. The Qualified Issuer must indicate on its return that it is being filed in the belief that it is exempt under Code Sec. 501(a) , but IRS hasn't yet recognized its exemption. ( Notice 2011-23, Sec. 8 ) Comments requested. IRS requests comments on the above guidance, including: the proposed effective date of a Qualified Issuer's tax exemption, as described in Notice 2011-23, Sec. 7 , see above; and whether there were any special factors that IRS should consider when establishing the procedures for applying for tax-exempt status under Code Sec. 501(c)(29) . IRS also asked whether there were any special factors with respect to Qualified Issuers and the prohibition on private inurement, the limitation on lobbying activities, the prohibition on political activities, and the taxation of excess benefit transactions and unrelated business taxable income. ( Notice 2011-23, Sec. 10 ) Notice 2011-23, 2011-13 IRB, 03/10/2011, IRC Sec(s). ________________________________________ Headnote: Reference(s): Full Text: 1. Purpose This Notice addresses the requirements for tax-exemption for qualified nonprofit health insurance issuers described in new § 501(c)(29), added to the Internal Revenue Code (Code) by § 1322(h) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Affordable Care Act), enacted March 23, 2010, Pub. L. No. 111-148. This Notice provides guidance on the annual filing requirement for qualified nonprofit health insurance issuers that intend to apply for recognition of exempt status under § 501(c)(29), as well as the effective date of exempt status for certain applicants. The IRS intends to issue a revenue procedure on how and when qualified nonprofit health insurance issuers described in § 501(c)(29) may apply for recognition of exempt status. This Notice includes a request for public comments. 2. Background Section 1322 of the Affordable Care Act requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish the Consumer Operated and Oriented Plan program (CO-OP program). The purpose of the CO-OP program is to foster the creation of qualified nonprofit health insurance issuers to offer qualified health plans in individual and small group markets. The CO-OP program will make available to qualified nonprofit health insurance issuers loans to provide assistance in meeting start-up costs and/or repayable grants to provide assistance in meeting any state solvency requirements. HHS has published a request for comments regarding the CO-OP program. See Planning and Establishment of Consumer Operated and Oriented Plan Program; Request for Comments Regarding Provisions of Consumer Operated and Oriented Plan Program, 76 Fed. Reg. 5774 (Feb. 2, 2011). Section 1322(h) of the Affordable Care Act added § 501(c)(29) to the Code. Section 501(c)(29) sets out rules for tax-exemption under § 501(a) of the Code for a qualified nonprofit health insurance issuer that has received a grant or loan under the CO-OP program. 3. Qualified Nonprofit Health Insurance Issuers Section 1322(c)(1) of the Affordable Care Act defines a qualified nonprofit health insurance issuer (“ Qualified Issuer” ) as an organization (a) that is organized as a nonprofit, member corporation under State law; (b) substantially all of the activities of which consist of the issuance of qualified health plans in the individual and small group markets in each State in which it is licensed to issue such plans; and (c) that meets additional requirements set forth in subsections (c)(2) through (6). Section 1322(c)(2) of the Affordable Care Act provides that an organization shall not be treated as a Qualified Issuer if (a) the organization, a related entity, or a predecessor of either was a health insurance issuer as of July 16, 2009; or (b) the organization is sponsored by a State or local government, any political subdivision thereof, or any instrumentality of such government or political subdivision. Section 1322(c)(3) requires a Qualified Issuer to satisfy certain governance requirements. Section 1322(c)(4) requires a Qualified Issuer to use any profits that it makes to lower premiums, to improve benefits, or for other programs intended to improve the quality of health care delivered to its members. Section 1322(c)(5) requires a Qualified Issuer to meet all state law requirements that other issuers of qualified health plans are required to meet in any state where the issuer offers a qualified health plan. Section 1322(c)(6) provides that a Qualified Issuer may not offer a health plan in a state until that state has in effect (or the Secretary of HHS has implemented for the state) the market reforms required by part A of title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act, as amended by the Affordable Care Act. Section 1322(b)(2)(C) of the Affordable Care Act requires a Qualified Issuer receiving a grant or loan under the CO-OP program to enter into an agreement with HHS, which requires it to meet (and continue to meet) both the requirements under § 1322 to be treated as a Qualified Issuer, and all requirements of the loan or grant agreement. Such an agreement must include a requirement that no portion of the funds made available by any loan or grant under the CO-OP program may be used for carrying on propaganda, or otherwise attempting, to influence legislation, or for marketing. A Qualified Issuer that has received a loan or grant under the CO-OP program may apply to the IRS to be recognized as an organization described in § 501(c)(29) of the Code and exempt from taxation under § 501(a) of the Code. The Qualified Issuer will qualify for exempt status under § 501(c)(29) only for periods that it is in compliance with the requirements of § 1322 of the Affordable Care Act and any loan or grant agreement with HHS. Under § 1322(b)(2)(C)(iii) of the Affordable Care Act, HHS must notify the Secretary of the Treasury of any determination under § 1322 of a failure that results in the termination of a Qualified Issuer's tax-exempt status under § 501(c)(29) of the Code. If a Qualified Issuer that has received a loan or grant under the CO-OP program does not apply for recognition of exempt status as an organization described in § 501(c)(29) or loses exempt status, it may be subject to Federal income taxation under appropriate provisions of the Code. If a taxable Qualified Issuer qualifies as an insurance company for Federal income tax purposes, it will be subject to the special tax rules of Subchapter L of the Code. 4. Conditions For Tax Exemption An organization is described in § 501(c)(29) of the Code only if : 1. The organization is a Qualified Issuer that has received a loan or grant under the CO-OP program and is in compliance with all requirements of § 1322 and any loan or grant agreement with HHS. 2. The organization has given notice to the Secretary of the Treasury in the manner prescribed by regulations that it is applying for recognition of its exempt status as an organization described in § 501(c)(29); 3. No part of the organization's net earnings inure to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual, except as provided in § 1322(c)(4) of the Affordable Care Act (which requires profits to be used to lower premiums, improve benefits, or for other programs intended to improve the quality of health care delivered to the organization's members); 4. No substantial part of the organization's activities consist of carrying on propaganda, or otherwise attempting, to influence legislation; and 5. The organization does not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distributing of statements), any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office. 5. Additional Information Reporting Required Section 6033 of the Code requires a tax-exempt organization described in § 501(c)(29) to file an annual information return. Section 1322(h)(2) of the Affordable Care Act amended § 6033 of the Code to require an organization described in § 501(c)(29) to provide certain additional information on its annual information return. In addition to the general information required, it must report the amount of reserves required by each State in which the organization is licensed to issue qualified health plans, and the amount of reserves on hand. 6. Application Of Tax On Excess Benefit Transactions Section 4958 of the Code imposes an excise tax, payable by the disqualified person, on each excess benefit transaction between an applicable tax-exempt organization and a disqualified person. Section 4958 also imposes an excise tax on organization managers who knowingly participated in an excess benefit transaction, unless participation was not willful and was due to reasonable cause. Section 1322(h)(3) of the Affordable Care Act amended § 4958(e)(1) to provide that an organization described in § 501(c)(29) is an “ applicable tax-exempt organization” subject to § 4958. 7. Applications For Recognition Of Exemption The IRS intends to publish a revenue procedure describing how an organization may apply for recognition of exempt status as an organization described in § 501(c)(29). Until the revenue procedure is published, the IRS will not accept applications. The revenue procedure will provide that a Qualified Issuer may not submit its request for recognition of exemption under § 501(c)(29) until it has entered into an agreement with HHS under § 1322(b)(2)(C) of the Affordable Care Act. The revenue procedure also will address the effective date of a Qualified Issuer's tax exemption. The Treasury Department and the IRS intend to recognize a Qualified Issuer that has received a loan or grant under the CO-OP program as exempt effective from the later of the date of its formation or March 23, 2010, provided that the Qualified Issuer's purposes and activities have been consistent with the requirements for exemption since that date. To be recognized as exempt from the date of its formation, a Qualified Issuer must have complied with the conditions of exemption described in clauses (ii)-(iv) of § 501(c)(29)(B). 8. Annual Filing Requirement Prior To Recognition Of Exempt Status A Qualified Issuer claiming exempt status under § 501(c)(29) that has filed or intends to file an application for exemption should file Form 990, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax, for taxable years that end before it receives a determination letter. The Qualified Issuer must indicate on its return that it is being filed in the belief that the Qualified Issuer is exempt under § 501(a), but the IRS has not yet recognized its exemption. 9. Effective Date The provisions of § 1322 of the Affordable Care Act, including the addition to the Code of § 501(c)(29) and the amendments to § § 6033 and 4958 of the Code described above, are effective beginning on March 23, 2010, the date of enactment of the Affordable Care Act. 10. Request For Comments The Treasury Department and the IRS request comments regarding the provisions described above, including, in particular, the need, if any, for guidance regarding such provisions. Comments are specifically requested regarding: 1. Any special factors the IRS should consider when establishing the procedures for applying for recognition of tax-exempt status under § 501(c)(29); 2. The proposed effective date of a Qualified Issuer's tax exemption, as described in section 7 of this notice; and 3. Any special considerations regarding the application to Qualified Issuers of the prohibition on private inurement in § 501(c)(29)(B)(ii), the limitation on lobbying activities in § 501(c)(29)(B)(iii), the prohibition on political activities in 501(c)(29)(B)(iv), the taxation of excess benefit transactions under § 4958, and the taxation of unrelated business taxable income under § 511. Comments should be submitted in writing on or before May 27, 2011. Please include “ Notice 2011-23” on the cover page. Comments should be sent to the following address: Internal Revenue Service CC:PA:LPD:PR ( Notice 2011-23) Room 5203 P.O. Box 7604 Ben Franklin Station Washington, DC 20044 Submissions may be hand delivered Monday through Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. to: Internal Revenue Service Courier's Desk 1111 Constitution Ave., N.W. Washington, DC 20224 Attn: CC:PA:LPD:PR ( Notice 2011-23) Submissions may also be sent electronically to the following e-mail address: Notice.Comments@irscounsel.treas.gov Please include “ Notice 2011-23” in the subject line. All comments will be available for public inspection and copying. 11. Drafting Information The principal author of this notice is Justin Lowe of the Exempt Organizations, Tax Exempt and Government Entities Division. For further information regarding this notice, contact Mr. Lowe at (202) 283-9486 (not a toll-free call).