Affordable Care Act – Special Enrollment Period (SEP) for Tax Season

Eligible consumers have from March 15 through April 30, 2015 to enroll in healthcare coverage. Eligible consumers may still purchase health insurance coverage from March 15 to April 30. If consumers do not purchase coverage for 2015 during this special enrollment period (SEP), they may have to pay a fee when they file their 2015 income taxes.
To qualify for this SEP a consumer must:

• Not yet be enrolled in coverage through the Marketplace for 2015,
• Attest that they paid the fee for not having health coverage in 2014, and
• Attest that they first became aware of the individual Shared Responsibility Payment after the end of open enrollment (February 15, 2015) in connection with preparing their 2014 taxes.

This tax season SEP will not occur every year. It is being offered this spring to allow eligible individuals an opportunity to get covered for the remainder of the year to avoid additional fees for 2015. They may still need to pay a penalty on their 2015 tax return of the months they went uncovered in 2015 if they do not qualify for an exemption during those months.

For questions or if you would like to schedule an appointment with an local In-Person Counselor, please feel free to call 815-748-2404.