Is ACA still mandatory?

Asked by: Prof. Kacie Willms Sr.  |  Last update: July 17, 2025
Score: 5/5 (69 votes)

While the ACA individual mandate is no longer in effect, certain states apply their own health insurance mandates, some of which have financial penalties.

Is the Affordable Care Act mandate still in place?

Congress eliminated the federal tax penalty for not having health insurance, effective January 1, 2019. While there is no longer a federal tax penalty for being uninsured, some states (CA, MA, NJ, and RI) and DC have enacted individual mandates and may apply a state tax penalty if you lack health coverage for the year.

Is the ACA employer mandate still in effect?

Employer mandate coverage requirements since 2016

Employers with 50 or more full-time and/or FTE employees must offer affordable/minimum value medical coverage to their full-time employees and their dependents up to the end of the month in which they turn age 26, or they may be subject to penalties.

Is ACA reporting still required?

Under the California Individual Mandate, applicable organizations must also file ACA information on their employees and their dependents to the California Franchise Tax Board (FTB).

Does the IRS still penalty for no health insurance?

There is no longer a federal penalty for not having health insurance.

How to Qualify For ACA Health Insurance Subsidies As An Early Retiree

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What is the penalty for ACA 2024?

Employers Not Offering Coverage: For 2024, an ALE that does not offer coverage or that offers coverage to fewer than 95% of its full-time employees (and their dependents) during the calendar year owes a penalty equal to the number of full-time employees employed for the year (minus up to 30) multiplied by $2,970, as ...

Does the IRS still require proof of health insurance?

Health care coverage documents

You are not required to send the IRS information forms or other proof of health care coverage when filing your tax return. However, it's a good idea to keep these records on hand. This documentation includes: Form 1095 information forms.

What happens if you don't file ACA?

Penalties for non-compliance

Employers who fail to meet the California ACA reporting requirements may be fined $50 per individual not reported on. Note: there is no penalty for non-furnishing by the Jan. 31 deadline.

Did ACA make health insurance mandatory?

One of the most controversial aspects of the Affordable Care Act was the individual mandate. The mandate aimed to encourage people in the U.S. to maintain health insurance coverage. This meant that most people who were not signed up for health insurance faced a financial penalty.

What states have an ACA mandate?

Which states have an Individual Mandate?
  • California.
  • D.C.
  • Massachusetts.
  • New Jersey.
  • Rhode Island.
  • Vermont (but there's currently no financial penalty attached to the mandate)

What is the penalty for ACA 2025?

The 2025 A Penalty decreases to $241.67/month ($2,900 annualized) multiplied by all full-time employees (reduced by the first 30). It is triggered by at least one full-time employee who was not offered minimum essential coverage enrolling in subsidized coverage on the Exchange.

Can I refuse health insurance from my employer and get Obamacare?

Obamacare is available to everyone, whether or not their employers offer insurance. From a practical standpoint, though, there are financial consequences to doing this. Often, an employer subsidizes part or all of their employees' coverage.

What is the ACA employer mandate 2025?

Generally requires applicable large employers to offer minimum essential coverage that is affordable and provides minimum value to all full-time employees (and their children to age 26) to avoid potential penalties.

What is the new law of the Affordable Care Act?

New Affordable Care Act rules require health plans to provide a summary of benefits and coverage, and a list of definitions, designed to make it easier for you to compare your options, and understand exactly what you are buying.

What states refuse Obamacare?

The Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, was enacted in 2010, but 10 states have not expanded Medicaid, the federal-state program that provides health care for low-income people. They are Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

Is ACA the same as Obamacare?

“Obamacare” and the “Affordable Care Act” are the SAME thing. A recent article in the New York Times reported survey results showing that one-third of the people surveyed did not know that “Obamacare” and the “Affordable Care Act” refer to the same law.

Why are people still uninsured with ACA?

Low-income individuals who are eligible for benefits continue to be uninsured because of ongoing affordability concerns, either because they live in a state that refuses to expand its Medicaid program despite the availability of substantial federal funding or because they are undocumented and prohibited from ACA ...

Does ACA have employer mandate?

The Affordable Care Act does not require businesses to provide health benefits to their workers, but applicable large employers may face penalties if they don't make affordable coverage available.

What is the downside of ACA?

Impact on Individual Insurance

It was also known that consumers would face a very different health insurance world under the ACA, with some people seeing their premiums go down and some seeing them go up, and the majority of Americans seeing higher deductibles, higher copays, and a smaller pool of providers.

Who is exempt from ACA?

Hardship exemptions are available for those who cannot afford to pay for health insurance or for whom health insurance would exceed 8.16 percent of their gross household income.

How can I avoid ACA penalty?

To avoid this penalty notice, employers must adhere to the appropriate ACA filing and furnishing deadlines for the applicable tax year. Employers have until March 1 each year to furnish the required 1095-C forms to their full-time staff.

Is the IRS still penalizing for not having health insurance?

In 2023, you are no longer required to pay a federal tax penalty for remaining uninsured. However, that may not apply to you if you live in a specific state. For those in California, you are still required to have health insurance and could be subject to a fee should you remain uninsured.

Does Obamacare affect your tax return?

The premium tax credit was established by the Affordable Care Act. It makes health insurance premiums for coverage purchased through the Health Insurance Marketplace more affordable for eligible individuals. The premium tax credit is the main way that having Obamacare impacts your taxes.

How does the IRS know I have health insurance?

Members who are enrolled in a Health Net Individual & Family Plan through Covered CA will be mailed a 1095-A form directly from Covered CA. Health Net also sends the information gathered on the Form 1095-B to the IRS and the California State Franchise Tax Board.