Affordable Care Act Tax Provisions for Individuals and Families
The Affordable Care Act, or health care law, contains health insurance coverage and financial assistance options for individuals and families. The IRS administers the tax provisions included in the law. Visit HealthCare.gov for more information on coverage options and financial assistance.
What do I need to know for my 2013 tax return?
Considerations for 2014
The Affordable Care Act, or health care law, contains health insurance coverage and financial assistance options for individuals and families. The IRS administers the tax provisions included in the law. Visit HealthCare.gov for more information on coverage options and financial assistance.
What do I need to know for my 2013 tax return?
- For most people, the Affordable Care Act has no effect on their 2013 federal income tax return.
- The individual shared responsibility provision and the premium tax credit do not affect your 2013 federal income tax return
- However, for some people, a few provisions could affect their tax returns, such as increases in the itemized medical deduction threshold, the additional Medicare tax and the net investment income tax.
- Here are some additional tips:
- Filing Requirement: If you do not have a tax filing requirement, you do not need to file a 2013 federal tax return to establish eligibility or qualify for financial assistance, including advance payments of the premium tax credit to purchase health insurance coverage through a Health Insurance Marketplace. Learn more at HealthCare.gov.
- W-2 Reporting of Employer Coverage: Certain employers are required to report the value of the health insurance coverage they provide. The value of health care coverage as reported by your employer in box 12 and identified by Code DD on your Form W-2 is not taxable.Learn more.
- Information about other ACA tax provisions: Premium Rebate for Medical Loss Ratio,Health Flexible Spending Arrangements, and Health Saving Accounts.
Considerations for 2014
- Open Enrollment for the Health Insurance Marketplace: The open enrollment period to purchase health care coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace for 2014 began Oct. 1, 2013 and runs through March 31, 2014. When you get health insurance through the marketplace, you may be able to get advance payments of the premium tax credit that will immediately help lower your monthly premium. Learn more at HealthCare.gov.
- Premium Tax Credit: If you get insurance through the Marketplace, you may be eligible to claim the premium tax credit. You can elect to have advance payments of the tax credit sent directly to your insurer during 2014, or wait to claim the credit when you file your tax return in 2015. If you choose to have advance payments sent to your insurer, you will have to reconcile the payments on your 2014 tax return, which will be filed in 2015. If you’re already receiving advance payments of the credit, you need do nothing at this time unless you have a change in circumstance. Learn More.
- Change in Circumstances: If you're receiving advance payments of the premium tax credit to help pay for your insurance coverage, you should report life changes, such as income, marital status or family size changes, to your marketplace. Reporting changes will help to make sure you are getting the proper amount of advance payments.
- Individual Shared Responsibility Payment: Starting January 2014, you and your family must have health care coverage, have an exemption from coverage, or make a payment when you file your 2014 tax return in 2015. Most people already have qualifying health care coverage and will not need to do anything more than maintain that coverage throughout 2014. Learn More.