February 5, 2016

News

ODOT Issues Two-party or Joint Check Guidance Update
Please see the revised guidance by clicking here. Included are the background, process, general conditions for allowance, and the goal of the change.

ACA Reporting Deadlines Extended
On December 28th, the IRS issued Notice 2016-4 extending the 2015 filing deadlines for information reporting under Internal Revenue Code Sections 6055 and 6056. Notice 2016-4 provides an automatic extension for the filing deadlines, so no requests for extensions are necessary. The filing deadlines are extended as follows:

Notice 2016-4 states that the IRS delayed the filing deadlines for employers, insurers and other health plan coverage providers after it determined that providers needed “additional time to adapt and implement systems to gather, analyze and report this information.” However, the Notice also states that the IRS is encouraging providers to furnish statements and file the information returns as soon as they are ready.

Finally, the Notice provides guidance to individuals who might not receive a Form 1095-B or Form 1095-C by the time they file their 2015 tax returns. Individuals who rely upon other information received from their employer when filing their income tax returns need not amend their returns once they receive their Forms 1095-C or any corrected Forms 1095-C. Individuals need not send this information to the IRS when filing their returns but should keep it with their tax records.

FASB Disclosure Rules Assistance
In accordance with OCA collective bargaining agreements, OCA contractor members contribute money into various pension plans on behalf of their craft employees. These pension plans are referred to as multi-employer pension plans. These plans provide benefits to union employees who may work for many employers during their working careers, thereby enabling them to accrue benefits in a single pension plan for retirement.

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB), which sets accounting rules for U.S. companies, implemented standards requiring disclosures from employers participating in multi-employer pension plans (Accounting Standards Update 2011-09). The standards require contractors to report the following information on their financial statements for all multi-employer pension plans in which they participate: ?

* The legal name, employer identification number and plan number ?

* The amount of employer contributions made to each significant plan and to all plans in the aggregate

*An indication of whether the employer’s contributions represent more than five percent of total contributions to the plan

* The expiration dates of collective bargaining agreements and any minimum funding arrangements.

*The most recent certified funded status of the plan, as determined by the plan’s so-called “zone status”, which is required by the Pension Protection act of 2006.

OCA annually compiles a spreadsheet to assist its contractor members with the required financial disclosures. Please click here forthe 2015 Tax Year FASB Assistance Spreadsheet. The purpose of the spreadsheet is to provide plan information that may be helpful to OCA contractor members in complying with the disclosure requirements. Employers remain solely responsible for the financial disclosures. OCA member contractors will also need to determine the amount of employer contributions made to each plan and to all plans in the aggregate.

If you have any questions, please contact Mark Potnick in the OCA office at 614-488-0724.

Upcoming Events

Courses Offered by Construction Estimating Institute
*Deep Discounts for OCA Members*
OCA will be offering two seminars instructed by the Construction Estimating Institute. Both of these have been taught in the past and very well received by our members. If you, or your staff, are interested in attending either one of these, please contact CEI directly at 800-423-7058. OCA has negotiated a highly reduced cost for our members. CEI, located in Florida, will be teaching in our Columbus office, another savings on money and travel time! Contact Rachel Sirca with questions.

Estimating Sitework Construction - Click here for the description
Non-OCA member cost: $1995
OCA member cost: $1495
February 22-26, 2016 *Note that this includes 3 modules that can be taken separately, or all together. See below.

February 22-23 – Estimating Earthwork Construction
Non-OCA member cost: $995
OCA member cost: $795
February 24-25 – Estimating Underground Utilities Non-OCA member cost: $995 OCA member cost: $795

Estimating Roadwork & Paving
Non-OCA member cost: $495
OCA member cost: $395

CPR / First Aid / AED / Bloodborne Pathogens Training At OCA
OCA has scheduled CPR/First Aid/AED/Bloodborne Pathogens training in its Columbus office on February 10, 2016 from 8 am to 12 pm. Lunch will follow. The 4-hour session will include the following:

INSTRUCTOR & COST
The training will be conducted by HTH Safety Solutions, LLC. OCA has arranged for a great course discount of $70 per person. The same certifications from the American Red Cross would cost $115!

REGISTRATION
Please click here to register or contact Emily Pickens in the OCA office via email at [email protected].

Conaway Conference and Sponsorship Available
Due to requests from members, the OCA / ODOT steering committee has opened up the opportunity for sponsorship from our members. The cost is $500. Your company name will be displayed on the big screen in the large conference room at the beginning of the event on March 15, and will also be inserted in each program distributed on both March 15 and 16. To help you decide, here are the attendee numbers from last year, however we do anticipate approximately 30% more on the second day in 2016:

1st day – ODOT attendees – 329
1st day – OCA attendees – 269
2nd day – ODOT attendees – 125
2nd day – OCA attendees – 78

You will be able to register or sponsor this event by going to our website at www.ohiocontractors.org. Contact Chris Engle or Rachel Sirca with questions.

Register Now – Substance Abuse Training at OCA
Employers must know and understand a wide array of information about substance abuse. Those within your organization who are responsible for conveying and applying substance abuse policies and practices to all employees must be properly trained. OCA is excited to be partnering with its new associate member, Global Drug Concepts (GDC) to provide an excellent, comprehensive substance abuse training program for the highway, heavy, and utility construction industry.

GDC reports that over 70% of drug abusers in the U.S. are employed and create very real problems and safety risks within their workplace. There are few, if any work venues that don’t experience or have present issues with substance abuse. GDC is committed to providing the most current and relevant training for substance abuse in the workplace. This program will equip front line supervisors, managers, and even employees to recognize the hazards of substance abuse if someone is working under the influence or impaired. In addition, GDC’s program educates on how substance abuse effects individuals, their workplace and their families.

GDC was recently formed by law enforcement officers with over 90 years of combined experience in the police field, and over 50 years of combined experience in the drug abuse field, including undercover work at the local, state and federal levels. Register now for this excellent training opportunity!

Date & Time: Monday, March 28, 2016 – 8:00 a.m. - Noon
Location: OCA Office, 1313 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH 43215
Lunch: Provided at conclusion of Program
Cost: OCA Members: $100; Non-member - $175
Registration: Click hereto register

Safety Talks