Key HR compliance dates and observances for March

Executive overview

HR teams must track several compliance deadlines in March alongside cultural observances. Missing IRS or OSHA filing deadlines carries regulatory risk.

Three filing deadlines cluster in March: OSHA Form 300A on March 2nd, paper ACA/IRS forms on March 1st, and e-filing for all three on March 31st.

March is one of the heaviest compliance months of the year, with overlapping IRS, OSHA, and ACA deadlines.

Key dates at a glance

• March 1 — Form 8809 paper filing deadline (extension request for W-2, 1095-C, 1099)
• March 2 — OSHA Form 300A submission deadline; Forms 1095-B and 1095-C must be furnished to employees
• March 4 — Employee Appreciation Day (first Friday in March)
• March 8 — International Women's Day; 2023 theme: Embrace Equity
• March 31 — E-filing deadline for Forms 1095-B, 1095-C, and Form 8809; end of Q1

Form 8809

• IRS document to request a filing extension for W-2, 1095-C, and 1099 forms
• Paper deadline: March 1; e-file deadline: March 31

OSHA Form 300A summary

• Annual summary of work-related injuries and illnesses
• Required for businesses with 10 or more employees (unless exempt)
• Summarises the Form 300 log; each Form 301 report feeds into it
• Must be completed per physical site and submitted by March 2nd

Forms 1095-B and 1095-C (ACA reporting)

• 1095-B: filed for individuals covered through small self-funded groups, SHOP plans, or fully insured employer-sponsored plans
• 1095-C: filed for individuals who received employer-sponsored health coverage (more commonly used)
• Employers filing 250+ forms must e-file
• Furnish copies to individuals by March 2nd; submit e-file to IRS by March 31st

April compliance preview

• April 15 — Form 940-4 and 89-28 filing deadline
• April 18 — Tax Day
• April 26 — Administrative Professionals Day
• April 30 — Quarterly Forms 720 and 941 due