Ask a CPA
The most frequently asked tax questions, answered by our network of licensed accountants.
Can't find the answer to your question? Ask a tax question.
Affordable Care Act - Individuals
How do I figure if i am entitled to a subsidy?
Asked Thursday, November 21, 2013 by an anonymous userCPA Answer:
Generally, uninsured individuals who purchase health insurance through an online health insurance marketplace or exchange and have income no greater than $94,200 for a family of 4, may be eligible for a government subsidy to help pay for health insurance.
The subsidy will be in the form of a tax credit.The credit or subsidy will be applied to your insurance premium when you purchase it in 2014.
To figure out if you’re eligible for a subsidy, you need to determine your household size and household income and see where it falls within the federal poverty line.
Subsidies are available up to 400% of the federal poverty line. Up to 133% of the federal poverty line, a family needs to devote 2% of its income towards the premium, with the balance subsidized by the government. The subsidy then decreases as income goes up.
The subsidy will be in the form of a tax credit.The credit or subsidy will be applied to your insurance premium when you purchase it in 2014.
To figure out if you’re eligible for a subsidy, you need to determine your household size and household income and see where it falls within the federal poverty line.
Subsidies are available up to 400% of the federal poverty line. Up to 133% of the federal poverty line, a family needs to devote 2% of its income towards the premium, with the balance subsidized by the government. The subsidy then decreases as income goes up.
Affordable Care Act - Individuals
What is the penalty for not having health insurance in 2016?
Asked Thursday, November 21, 2013 by an anonymous userCPA Answer:
The 2016 penalty is the greater of:
$695 per year ($2,085 maximum per family), or
2.5% of household income.
There was no penalty in 2013. The penalty is phased in over time. Beginning in 2014, U.S. citizens and legal residents must carry health insurance or be subject to a penalty.
The 2014 penalty was the greater of: $95 per year ($2,085 maximum per family), or 1.% of household income.
The 2015 penalty was the greater of: $325 per year ($2,085 maximum per family), or 2.% of household income.
There was no penalty in 2013. The penalty is phased in over time. Beginning in 2014, U.S. citizens and legal residents must carry health insurance or be subject to a penalty.
The 2014 penalty was the greater of: $95 per year ($2,085 maximum per family), or 1.% of household income.
The 2015 penalty was the greater of: $325 per year ($2,085 maximum per family), or 2.% of household income.
Affordable Care Act - Individuals
Is there a new government run insurance plan?
Asked Thursday, November 21, 2013 by an anonymous userCPA Answer:
There is no government run insurance plan or single payer system established under the Affordable Care Act. The government will only run the health care exchanges and the insurance industry will still be run by private companies.
Public exchanges will be available in all 50 states and 4 levels of health care insurance will be offered. They are platinum, gold, silver and bronze. Each insurance plan will offer the “minimum essential coverage”, which is needed to avoid paying a penalty. Private exchanges will be available as an alternative to the public exchanges.
Public exchanges will be available in all 50 states and 4 levels of health care insurance will be offered. They are platinum, gold, silver and bronze. Each insurance plan will offer the “minimum essential coverage”, which is needed to avoid paying a penalty. Private exchanges will be available as an alternative to the public exchanges.
Affordable Care Act - Individuals
What is the government website to buy health care insurance?
Asked Thursday, November 21, 2013 by an anonymous userCPA Answer:
Go to https://www.healthcare.gov/
Affordable Care Act - Individuals
Can I be refused medical insurance if I have a pre existing condition?
Asked Thursday, November 21, 2013 by an anonymous userCPA Answer:
No. Starting in 2014, health insurance plans can't refuse to cover you or charge you more just because you have a pre-existing health condition.
Starting in 2014, being sick won't keep you from getting health coverage. An insurance company can't turn you down or charge you more because of your condition. Once you have insurance, the plan can't refuse to cover treatment for pre-existing conditions. Coverage for your pre-existing conditions begins immediately.
This is true even if you have been turned down or refused coverage due to a pre-existing condition in the past.
The only exception is for grandfathered individual health insurance plans -- the kind you buy yourself, not through an employer. They do not have to cover pre-existing conditions. If you have one of these plans you can switch to a Marketplace plan during open enrollment and immediately get coverage for your pre-existing conditions.
Starting in 2014, being sick won't keep you from getting health coverage. An insurance company can't turn you down or charge you more because of your condition. Once you have insurance, the plan can't refuse to cover treatment for pre-existing conditions. Coverage for your pre-existing conditions begins immediately.
This is true even if you have been turned down or refused coverage due to a pre-existing condition in the past.
The only exception is for grandfathered individual health insurance plans -- the kind you buy yourself, not through an employer. They do not have to cover pre-existing conditions. If you have one of these plans you can switch to a Marketplace plan during open enrollment and immediately get coverage for your pre-existing conditions.
Affordable Care Act - Individuals
Can I be refused Medicaid medical insurance if I have a pre existing condition?
Asked Thursday, November 21, 2013 by an anonymous userCPA Answer:
Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program can not refuse to cover you or charge you more because of a health condition.
Affordable Care Act - Individuals
Can I get dental coverage in the Marketplace?
Asked Thursday, November 21, 2013 by an anonymous userCPA Answer:
In the Health Insurance Marketplace, you generally can get dental coverage as part of a health plan or by itself through a separate, stand-alone dental plan. Under the health care law, dental insurance is treated differently for adults and children 18 and under.
Dental coverage for children is an essential health benefit. This means it must be available to you as part of a health plan or as a free-standing plan. This is not the case for adults. Insurers don’t have to offer adult dental coverage.
Starting in 2014, you must have health coverage or pay a fee. But this is not true for dental coverage. You do not need to have dental coverage to avoid the penalty.
Dental coverage for children is an essential health benefit. This means it must be available to you as part of a health plan or as a free-standing plan. This is not the case for adults. Insurers don’t have to offer adult dental coverage.
Starting in 2014, you must have health coverage or pay a fee. But this is not true for dental coverage. You do not need to have dental coverage to avoid the penalty.
Affordable Care Act - Small Biz
When must an employer withhold Additional Medicare Tax?
Asked Thursday, November 21, 2013 by an anonymous userCPA Answer:
The statute requires an employer to withhold Additional Medicare Tax at a rate of 0.9 %on wages it pays to an employee in excess of $200,000 in a calendar year without regard to filing status.
A new line 5d has been added to Form 941.
The amount withheld will be reported with regular Medicare tax on Form W-2, Box 6.
Beginning January 1, 2013. An employer has this withholding obligation even though an employee may not be liable for Additional Medicare Tax Any withheld Additional Medicare Tax will be credited against the total tax liability shown on the individual’s income tax return (Form 1040).
A new line 5d has been added to Form 941.
The amount withheld will be reported with regular Medicare tax on Form W-2, Box 6.
Beginning January 1, 2013. An employer has this withholding obligation even though an employee may not be liable for Additional Medicare Tax Any withheld Additional Medicare Tax will be credited against the total tax liability shown on the individual’s income tax return (Form 1040).
Affordable Care Act - Small Biz
Is an employer liable for Additional Medicare Tax?
Asked Thursday, November 21, 2013 by an anonymous userCPA Answer:
An employer that does not deduct and withhold Additional Medicare Tax as required is liable for the tax unless the tax that it failed to withhold from the employee’s wages is paid by the employee.
Even if not liable for the tax, an employer that does not meet its withholding, deposit, reporting, and payment responsibilities for Additional Medicare Tax may be subject to all applicable penalties.
Even if not liable for the tax, an employer that does not meet its withholding, deposit, reporting, and payment responsibilities for Additional Medicare Tax may be subject to all applicable penalties.
Affordable Care Act - Small Biz
How do I claim the Business Health Care Tax Credit?
Asked Thursday, November 21, 2013 by an anonymous userCPA Answer:
You can claim the credit on IRS Form 8941, Credit for Small Employer Health Insurance Premiums, to calculate the credit. For detailed information on filling out this form, see the Instructions for Form 8941.
If you are a small business, include the amount as part of the general business credit on your income tax return.
If you are a small business employer, you may be able to carry the credit back or forward.
If you are a small business, include the amount as part of the general business credit on your income tax return.
If you are a small business employer, you may be able to carry the credit back or forward.