Find Out More about Income-Based Health Coverage Exemptions

IRS Health Care Tax Tip 2016-19, February 16, 2016

The individual shared responsibility provision requires you and each member of your family to have health care coverage, have an exemption from the coverage requirement, or make an individual shared responsibility payment for any month without coverage or an exemption when you file your federal income tax return.

You do not need to file a return solely to report your coverage or to claim an exemption if you are not otherwise required to file.

If you are not filing a federal income tax return because your gross income is below your return filing threshold, you are automatically exempt from the shared responsibility provision for that year. You do not need to file a tax return to claim an exemption from coverage and you should not make an individual shared responsibility payment.

If you are not required to file a tax return for a year but choose to file one anyway, you should claim the coverage exemption on Form 8962, Health Coverage Exemptions, when you file your tax return.

You or your tax professional should consider preparing and filing your tax return electronically. Using tax preparation software is the easiest way to file a complete and accurate tax return. There are a variety of electronic filing options, including free volunteer assistance, IRS Free File for taxpayers who qualify, commercial software, and professional assistance.

Subscribe to IRS Tax Tips to receive easy-to-read tips from the IRS by email.