Are you required to have health insurance under the ACA?
Currently, most people are not required to purchase health insurance. The ACA “shared responsibility payment” and the individual mandate has been eliminated by the Trump Administration for 2019 and beyond. However, some states have established their own individual mandates, so you still may be subject to your specific state tax penalty, if any.
Following is a list of the states, as of 2019, that have mandated residents purchase qualifying health insurance (which is similar to the federal essential health benefits), or face a tax penalty when they file their income taxes.
California – the penalty for Californians who go without health insurance may be 2.5% of household income or $696 per adult (this number will rise yearly with inflation), whichever is larger.
Massachusetts – the tax penalty amount varies depending on your income, age and family size, but note the maximum penalty can be no more than half the price of the lowest premium plan available on the Massachusetts healthcare marketplace. For more information on Massachusetts health insurance mandates, click here.
New Jersey – the tax penalty is $695 for adults and $347.50 for each child, with a maximum family penalty of 2.5% of annual income,. The penalty is capped at three times the adult penalty ($2,085), or the state average cost for a bronze-level plan, whichever is greater. For more information on New Jersey health insurance mandates, click here.
Vermont – Vermont has passed legislation that requires residents to have qualifying health insurance in 2020, but the penalty for non compliance has not yet been established.
Washington, D.C. – the tax penalty is $695 for adults and $347.50 for each child, with a maximum family penalty of 2.5% of income, or three times the adult penalty ($2,085), whichever is greater. For more information on Washington, D.C. health insurance mandates, click here.
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