Health insurance and taxes

[Julie+Matt 84]

Ok, I know I could've added my husband to my insurance without a social, but they made it confusing. The government messed up and lost his file so even though we filed for him to get his social a year ago, he won't have it until next week. He got his temporary green card in November. Will I have to pay a fine for him not having health insurance for 2015 when I file my taxes?

[Kastrs 723]

If he was in the US for more than half of 2015, and uninsured during that time, then yes you will be subject to a fine

[yuna628 9,676]

Ok, I know I could've added my husband to my insurance without a social, but they made it confusing. The government messed up and lost his file so even though we filed for him to get his social a year ago, he won't have it until next week. He got his temporary green card in November. Will I have to pay a fine for him not having health insurance for 2015 when I file my taxes?

Most likely yes. And remember it's not a 'fine' (I type this with a big sarcastic smiley face right now) it's more like an 'encouragement penalty'. You don't have to have insurance if you don't want to... ;-) Insurance penalty is cheaper than two monthly premiums right now.

Hope everything gets sorted for you soon.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Ok, I know I could've added my husband to my insurance without a social, but they made it confusing. The government messed up and lost his file so even though we filed for him to get his social a year ago, he won't have it until next week. He got his temporary green card in November. Will I have to pay a fine for him not having health insurance for 2015 when I file my taxes?

There are exemptions available. Saw this gadget but haven't tried it https://turbotax.intuit.com/health-care/exemptions/#!/exemption-home

Here's an IRS guide https://www.irs.gov/uac/Am-I-Eligible-for-a-Coverage-Exemption-or-Required-to-Make-an-Individual-Shared-Responsibility-Payment%3F

It may be wordier in government talk than the other.

If you claim an exemption, there's additional confusing tax forms to fill out.

What I have found since I have now done my 2015 tax return using TurboTax--if you are a regular insured person and not using the marketplace or trying to get government subsidy credits, there is a question asking if everybody in the household was insured all year in 2015. If you say YES, that's it. No form. No telling insurers. No proofs. Tempted???

[yuna628 9,676]

There are exemptions available. Saw this gadget but haven't tried it https://turbotax.intuit.com/health-care/exemptions/#!/exemption-home

Here's an IRS guide https://www.irs.gov/uac/Am-I-Eligible-for-a-Coverage-Exemption-or-Required-to-Make-an-Individual-Shared-Responsibility-Payment%3F

It may be wordier in government talk than the other.

If you claim an exemption, there's additional confusing tax forms to fill out.

What I have found since I have now done my 2015 tax return using TurboTax--if you are a regular insured person and not using the marketplace or trying to get government subsidy credits, there is a question asking if everybody in the household was insured all year in 2015. If you say YES, that's it. No form. No telling insurers. No proofs. Tempted???

I noticed that when my sister went over her taxes this year. Imagine the IRS taking our word for it lol. But.. a lot of insurance companies have begun sending around ''proof of insurance forms for tax purposes'' this year. Everyone in my family got one, including me (for my old coverage not the new joint one). It says you should keep it as proof should the IRS conduct an investigation or question your insurance status. I can't see that happening, but you never know.

[Julie+Matt 84]

There are exemptions available. Saw this gadget but haven't tried it https://turbotax.intuit.com/health-care/exemptions/#!/exemption-home

Here's an IRS guide https://www.irs.gov/uac/Am-I-Eligible-for-a-Coverage-Exemption-or-Required-to-Make-an-Individual-Shared-Responsibility-Payment%3F

It may be wordier in government talk than the other.

If you claim an exemption, there's additional confusing tax forms to fill out.

What I have found since I have now done my 2015 tax return using TurboTax--if you are a regular insured person and not using the marketplace or trying to get government subsidy credits, there is a question asking if everybody in the household was insured all year in 2015. If you say YES, that's it. No form. No telling insurers. No proofs. Tempted???

My dad files my taxes for me. I'll let him know about that...yes, I'm tempted. I don't have the money for an encouragement charge...ugh. Thanks

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

I noticed that when my sister went over her taxes this year. Imagine the IRS taking our word for it lol. But.. a lot of insurance companies have begun sending around ''proof of insurance forms for tax purposes'' this year. Everyone in my family got one, including me (for my old coverage not the new joint one). It says you should keep it as proof should the IRS conduct an investigation or question your insurance status. I can't see that happening, but you never know.

I was really surprised because we got the insurance company thing as well for my husband's plan. I was expecting to enter some verification number or insurer. Nope. How easy! The IRS actually takes your word for a lot of things. My husband is self-employed so has his "business" profit/loss form. I said he spent $77 dollars on supplies. I could have said $200. Those filers with foreign income just put in a number without attaching anything. I try to be extremely accurate and read irs publications to clarify rules, but in the end I kinda feel like they believe anything that isn't outrageous. I have filed a tax return for the last 40+ years without an audit so I've got this relaxed attitude that they aren't interested in checking a small timer like me just for grins. i can understand newbies being terrified of the IRS, especially after the precise documentation that immigration requires every step of the way.