The Health Care Law’s Effect on You

Nearly everyone is affected by the Affordable Care Act and will need to do something new when filing their taxes this year. The following chart will help you better understand how the health care law affects you and everyone on your return. This chart is also available on IRS.gov/aca.

To help navigate these changes, taxpayers and their tax professionals should consider filing returns electronically.Using tax preparation software is the best and simplest way to file a complete and accurate tax return as it guides individuals and tax preparers through the process and does all the math. There are a variety of electronic filing options, including free volunteer assistance, IRS Free File for taxpayers who qualify, commercial software, and professional assistance. 

IF YOU . . .

Are U.S. citizens or are non-U.S. citizens living in the United States.


Have health coverage through an employer or under a government program such as Medicare, Medicaid and coverage for veterans for the entire year

Do not have coverage for any month of the year


Are eligible for an exemption for coverage for a month





Do not have coverage and are not eligible for an exemption from coverage for any month of the year.

Are responsible for making an individual shared responsibility payment

Received the benefit of more advance payments of the premium tax credit than the amount of credit for which you qualify

Need qualifying health care coverage for 2015





Enroll in health insurance through the Marketplace for yourself or someone else on your tax return

Did not enroll in health insurance from the Marketplace for yourself or anyone else on your tax return

Or another person on your tax return who is enrolled in coverage through the Marketplace is not eligible for health care coverage through your employer or under a government program

Are eligible for the premium tax credit



Choose to get premium assistance now



Get the benefit of advance payments of the premium tax credit and experience a significant life change, such as a change in income or marital status

Get the benefit of advance payments of the premium tax credit

THEN YOU . . . 

Must have qualifying health care coverage, qualify for a health coverage exemption, or make a payment when you file your tax return.

Just have to check a box on your Form 1040 series return and do not read any further.


Should check the instructions to Form 8965 to see if you are eligible for an exemption.

Are not responsible for making an Individual Shared Responsibility payment for that month, and must claim the exemption or report an exemption already obtained from the Marketplace by completing Form 8965, Health Coverage Exemptions, and submitting it with your tax return.

Are responsible for making an individual shared responsibility payment when you file your return.

You will report it on your tax return and make the payment with your taxes

Will repay the amount in excess of the credit you are allowed subject to a repayment cap.


Can enroll in health insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace (Marketplace) during the open enrollment period that runs through Feb. 15, 2015; once open enrollment ends, individuals can enroll only if they qualify under special enrollment provisions.

Might be eligible for the premium tax credit


Cannot claim the premium tax credit


Might be eligible for the premium tax credit




Can choose to get premium assistance now to lower your monthly payments or get all the benefit of the credit when you claim it on your tax return

Will have payments sent on your behalf to your insurance provider.  These payments are called advance payments of the premium tax credit

Report these changes in circumstances to the Marketplace when they happen


Will report the payments on your tax return and reconcile the amount of the payments with the amount of credit for which you are eligible

MORE INFORMATION

Find out more about the tax-related provisions of the health care law at IRS.gov/aca.