Do I have to pay the IRS if I don't have health insurance?
Asked by: Cordie Rowe | Last update: November 6, 2025Score: 4.6/5 (31 votes)
Is there still an IRS penalty for not having health insurance?
Exemptions from the requirement to have health insurance
The fee for not having health insurance (sometimes called the "Shared Responsibility Payment" or "mandate”) ended in 2018. This means you no longer pay a tax penalty for not having health coverage.
How much do you have to pay the IRS if you don't have health insurance?
The Tax Cut and Jobs Act (TCJA) repealed the penalty (made the penalty amount $0) starting with tax year 2019. But you may wonder, “Do I need health insurance to file taxes after the ACA penalty was repealed?” The answer is no. You no longer will be penalized for not having health insurance.
Does the IRS require you to have health insurance?
Individuals & Families
The law requires you and your dependents to have health care coverage. If you purchased coverage from the Health Insurance Marketplace, you may be eligible for the Premium Tax Credit.
Is it legally required by the federal government to have health insurance?
There are no federal laws that impose a penalty or fine for not having health insurance. But there are some states, and one district, that have individual health insurance mandates. If you live in one of these states, you need health insurance coverage: California.
How does IRS know if you have health insurance?
Can you legally not have health insurance?
As of 2020, California residents must have MEC for the entire calendar year or pay a penalty when filing their income tax return. This mandate applies to each resident, including their spouse (or domestic partner) and any claimed dependents. If you qualify, you can claim an exemption to the penalty on your tax return.
Are US citizens still required to have health insurance?
Health insurance coverage is no longer mandatory at the federal level, as of Jan. 1, 2019. Some states still require you to have health insurance coverage to avoid a tax penalty.
Why do I owe taxes for health insurance?
Owe taxes if you used more of the premium tax credit than you qualified for in 2024. You'll have to report the excess amount on your 2024 tax return by filing Form 8962, Premium Tax Credit (PDF, 115 KB). Find instructions for Form 8962 (PDF, 348 KB).
Do you have to pay federal taxes?
Congress used the power granted by the Constitution and Sixteenth Amendment, and made laws requiring all individuals to pay tax. Congress has delegated to the IRS the responsibility of administering the tax laws known as the Internal Revenue Code (the Code) and found in Title 26 of the United States Code.
Who is not eligible for Obamacare?
Must live in the United States. Must be a U.S. citizen or national (or be lawfully present). Learn about eligible immigration statuses. Cannot be incarcerated in prison or jail.
Can I get Obamacare if I have no income?
Unemployed people can get medical insurance through the state and federal health insurance marketplace plans. Marketplace plans are sold during Open Enrollment, which happens every year from November 1 through January 15.
How long can you go exempt without being penalized?
How long do exemptions from withholding last? Normally, Form W-4 does not expire. But, if an employee claims they are exempt from federal income tax, they need to give you a new Form W-4 each year to keep the exemption. An exemption from withholding is only good for one year.
Is it legal to self pay when you have insurance?
Now that you know that it is legal to self-pay when you have insurance, here are a few situations where it may make sense to directly pay for the medical procedure or service without filing a claim with your provider.
Can you be denied medical treatment without insurance?
Because of EMTALA, you can't be denied a medical screening exam or treatment for an emergency medical condition based on: If you have health insurance or not. If you can pay for treatment.
What is minimum essential coverage in the IRS?
Examples of minimum essential coverage include: • Most health insurance coverage provided by your employer; • Health insurance purchased through the Health Insurance Marketplace serving the. area where you live; • Coverage provided under a government-sponsored program (including Medicare.
Who is exempt from paying federal income tax?
Who Does Not Have to Pay Taxes? You generally don't have to pay taxes if your income is less than the standard deduction or the total of your itemized deductions, if you have a certain number of dependents, if you work abroad and are below the required thresholds, or if you're a qualifying non-profit organization.
What is the minimum income to not file taxes in 2024?
About filing your tax return
If you have income below the standard deduction threshold for 2024, which is $14,600 for single filers and $29,200 for those married filing jointly, you may not be required to file a return. However, you may want to file anyway.
Can I get a refund with no income?
You can still file a tax return if you have little or no income. If you are due a tax refund, you must file a return to claim it. Even if you did not earn income, there are tax credits and deductions you may be eligible to claim.
Does IRS still penalize for no health insurance?
If you had no health coverage
If you didn't have coverage during 2024, the fee no longer applies. This means you don't need an exemption in order to avoid the penalty.
Why does the IRS ask if you have health insurance?
The IRS requires this information to determine if a repayment of the credit is required OR give an additional Premium Tax Credit if you were eligible for more of a credit. In an effort to better serve you, and report all required information to the IRS, we have included this question within the return.
What happens if you lie about not having health insurance on taxes?
Fraud or Other Charges
Depending on the outcome of your audit, you may be charged with either negligence or fraud as a civil penalty. The IRS may also choose to prosecute you on criminal charges if the amounts are large enough. These cases take years to process, and can result in jail time and other hefty fines.
Does having health insurance affect your tax return?
Whether you get financial help or not, health coverage is part of filing your taxes. Unless you report that you had health coverage, you may have to pay a state tax penalty. If you received federal or state financial help, you'll report that as well.
What happens if you don't pay health insurance?
If you miss a monthly premium payment
Your health insurance company could end your coverage if you fall behind on your monthly premiums. A short period after your monthly health insurance payment is due to pay all owed premiums to avoid losing coverage.
What states penalty for no health insurance?
Some states (CA, MA, NJ, and RI) and DC have adopted individual mandates with state tax penalties for not having health insurance. One state (VT) also has an individual mandate but does not impose a tax penalty for not having coverage. Check with your tax advisor or state insurance department for more information.