Obamacare, or the Affordable Care Act is now in the fourth year of providing health insurance.
However, it will only be the third year of reconciling the healthcare requirements and the health insurance premium tax credit on your tax return in the spring.
Health Insurance Penalty
The fee, or insurance penalty tax, for going without health insurance increases each year. Here’s how to determine if you will need to report the penalty on your tax return and how much it might be.
Health Insurance Penalty Fee
If you went without health insurance this year, you’ll be subject to an annual fee. The fee does not provide health insurance and is assessed after the year is over when you file your tax return.
The penalty fee is calculated based on your Modified Adjusted Gross Income and is due with your tax return on the tax deadline.
How Much is the Penalty for No Health Insurance?
The tax penalty for no health insurance varies by year. The 2017 insurance penalty tax is the higher of:
2.5% of income or $695 per adult/$347.50 per child (up to $2,085 per family).
The 2018 insurance penalty fee will increase based on inflation.
Health Insurance Penalty Fees in Previous Years
If you are filing a tax return with an extension or an amended return for a prior year, the penalty is different each year. Penalty tax by year is the higher of:
- 2016 insurance penalty fee: 2.5% of income or $695 per adult/$347.50 per child (up to $2,085 per family).
- 2015 insurance penalty fee: 2% of income or $325 per adult/$162.50 per child (up to $975 per family).
- 2014 insurance penalty fee: 1% of income or $95 per adult/$47.50 per child (up to $285 per family).
The fee is calculated per month and includes household members you claim as dependents. For each full month without coverage, you’ll pay 1/12 of the above fee.
Penalty Maximums
The maximum penalty using the % of income is the national average premium for a Bronze plan. The average price of a Bronze plan is:
- 2017: $2,085 per person.
- 2016: $2,085 per person.
- 2015: $2,570 per person.
- 2014: $2,448 per person.
How to Calculate the Penalty
When you file your tax return, most online tax services will automatically calculate your penalty.
Where to Pay the Penalty
You will report the health insurance premium tax credit penalty on your tax return.
Minimum Essential Coverage
You do not have to pay the penalty if you have minimum essential coverage. If you have insurance already through a job or the government you won’t have to worry about the penalty. This includes marketplace health insurance, individual insurance, health insurance through an employer, COBRA, Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, Tricare and veteran health insurance plans.
Exemptions to Avoid Paying the Obamacare Penalty Fee
You will not need to pay the penalty for Obamacare fee if you qualify for any of the following:
- Unaffordable Insurance: If the insurance would cost more than 8.13% of your income.
- Short Gap: If you go without insurance for less than 3 months of the year.
- No Filing Requirement: If your income is below the minimum income to file a tax return.
- Hardship Exemption: The exchange certifies that you suffered a hardship including that you would qualify for Medicaid but your state has chosen to not expand Medicaid.
- Member of Select Groups: If you are a member of a recognized Indian Tribe, health care sharing ministry, religious conscience sect member, incarcerated, or not lawfully present in the US.
