Individual State Health Insurance Taxes To Watch Out For

It’s tax time again! In addition to the federal and state taxes you are required to pay, this year you might find yourself getting hit with a tax penalty for not having health insurance. But how? After all, after multiple court battles, the health insurance mandate penalty, also known as the individual mandate penalty, was done away with as of January 1, 2019. Or was it? Well, although it is no longer a federal law, states can have their own individual mandate, and some do. If you live in a state that has an individual mandate, and are not insured, get ready to pay a fine. 

Which States Have An Individual Mandate?

Currently there are 5 states and the District of Columbia that require you to have health insurance or pay an individual mandate penalty if you do not. If you live in the following states, prepare for a tax penalty for not being insured last year:

sky view of the city of Washington dc

  • California- The penalty in this state for not having a health insurance policy is 2.5% of household income, or $696 per adult and $375.50 per child, whichever is greater.
  • Washington D.C. – The penalty here is either 2.5% of gross household income, or $695 per individual and $347.50 per child.
  • Massachusetts- In this state, the penalty varies by income, age and family size; it can be up to 50% of the minimum monthly premium payment the person would have qualified for through Health Connector, the Massachusetts health insurance exchange.
  • New Jersey- The penalty here is based on household income (which includes the income of any dependents), as well as family size.
  • Rhode Island- Similar to other states, the penalty here is the same as it would’ve been under the federal individual mandate: a family penalty of $695 for each uninsured adult and $347.50 for each uninsured child, or 2.5% of the household income, whichever amount is greater.
  • Vermont- While Vermont does have a mandate, the penalty for being uninsured in Vermont was $0 as of last year, but that is subject to change.

caucasian womans hand on the keyboard of her laptop with papers and a pencil next to it.

Why A Mandate?

The individual mandate was created to encourage more people to sign up for health insurance. Because health insurance operates on a risk sharing model, the more people who are signed up, the cheaper premiums will be, especially if healthier individuals sign up. And even though there is no national mandate, some states decided to pass their own mandates to ensure that  more people could get affordable healthcare. 

Avoiding The Penalty

exclamation point in a yellow triangle.
You have the opportunity to avoid the penalty next year by signing up during the Covid Special Enrollment Period!

If you live in one of these states, and you did not have health insurance last year, unfortunately you will be facing a penalty this tax season. But that does not mean that you cannot avoid the penalty for next year. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the government has issued a Special Enrollment Period for individuals and families to sign up for health insurance, which will last until May 15. 

Whether you live in a state with an individual mandate or not, you can get coverage during this Special Enrollment Period that meets your financial and medical needs. EZ.Insure can find you a comprehensive, affordable plan, because our agents work with the top-rated insurance companies in the nation. We can help find any available subsidies to save you money, as well as plans with extra perks, such as gym memberships, and more. We will assess your needs and compare all available plans in your area in minutes, for free! No obligation. 

To get free instant quotes, simply enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak directly to a licensed agent in your area, call 888-350-1890.

Think You’re Safe From The Health Insurance Tax? Think Again!

Previously, if Americans did not have health insurance, they would face a penalty, or tax, called the individual mandate penalty. Thanks to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the penalty no longer exists. However, some states still have the ability to penalize people for not having health insurance. 

womans hands with a calculator on top of an open laptop.
Although the individual mandate is gone, some states will tax you for not having health insurance.

Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Washington D.C. will hit you with a penalty for not having health insurance. Other states (California, Rhode Island, and Vermont) are joining the bandwagon and creating a health insurance coverage mandate for 2020. So if residents do not have health insurance in 2020, then they will pay a penalty in 2021.

Exemptions

States will allow exemptions, thankfully, to help certain people avoid the penalty. The circumstances include low income that falls below the state tax filing threshold. 

How Much Is The Penalty?

The penalty ranges in different states. They are:

silhouette of a man shaking another man upside down with money falling out.
If you live in one of the states that impose a health insurance tax, be prepared for the penalty if you do not have health insurance.
  • California- A flat amount of $695 per adult or $347.50 for each child. California can charge you 2.5% of gross income in excess of the state’s filing threshold, whichever is higher.
  • Massachusetts- The penalty is based on the household income, and can range from $264 per year to $1.524 per year. Individuals with income at or below $18,210 ($37,650 for a family of four) aren’t penalized
  • Washington D.C.- The penalty is $695 per adult, or $347.50 per child. Washington can also assess a penalty of 2.5% of household income, whichever is higher.
  • New Jersey- The penalty is based on household income as well. Individual taxpayers without coverage could be on the hook for at least $695, and up to a maximum of $3,012.
  • Vermont– Vermont is one of the states jumping on the bandwagon, so they have not determined the penalties yet.
  • Rhode Island- The penalty is a flat tax of $695 per adult and $347.50 per child, or 2.5% of income above state filing threshold, whichever is greater.

Getting Ready

When the time comes to file your tax paperwork, make sure you have all the appropriate forms handy that prove you had health insurance coverage. There should be a number of forms in the mail coming to taxpayers (Forms 1095-A, 1095-B and 1095-C) that detail whether you and your family members had coverage throughout the year.

Luckily only a few states are imposing the tax penalty for not having health insurance, but for those who do live in these states, be prepared. Know that there is a penalty so you are not blindsided, and if you opt out of insurance, then be prepared financially to pay the penalties.