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Affordable Care Act Update

Here are some helpful resources on the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The first document is the toolkit [PDF – 133KB] that was handed out at the White House Tribal Nations Conference that includes talking points for American Indians and Alaska Natives, a calendar of events, and some helpful resource links.

The ACA Health Insurance Marketplace enrollment period goes through February 15, 2015. While tribal members can enroll monthly throughout the year, for them and for everyone else who only has the opportunity to enroll until February 15 - the sooner you enroll, the sooner benefits are available. For more information on ACA benefits and enrollment, go to www.healthcare.gov. Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 

All Americans need to have health insurance coverage each year or claim an exemption; otherwise they will have to pay a penalty, also called a shared responsibility payment, on their taxes. Tribal members and individuals eligible for IHS services can apply for an exemption from this requirement through an application on the Health Insurance Marketplace, or can claim it on their tax forms each year. The former process requires submitting documentation with an application on www.healthcare.gov,Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  getting approved for the exemption, and getting a certificate number that you must put on your tax forms each year. The latter involves claiming the exemption on the tax form and keeping your documentation with your tax information in case you get audited in the future. There are also other exemptions available.

For those of you now getting ready to do your taxes for 2014, here are some resources:

Last week, HHS Secretary Burwell and Treasury Secretary Lew held a call with tax preparers. For information on their remarks, go to the press release. Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 

I have attached the fact sheet included in this link [PDF – 123KB].

For individuals wanting to claim exemptions, including the exemptions for tribal members and those otherwise eligible for IHS services, I have also attached the tax form 8965 Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  and its instructions [PDF – 294KB] just for your information. Part I is where you can put your certificate number if you already applied for a Marketplace exemption; Part III is where you can enter the code to claim your exemption on the tax form. The Instructions explain the exemptions available and how to claim them.

The purpose of this blog is to provide factual information, and not to give tax advice.Beyond this summary information, you should always consult the IRS or a tax advisor for your individual situation.