WHAT/WHO:
With the April 15th deadline to file income tax returns fast approaching, DC Health Link’s Contact Center will be open on Saturday, April 4 and Saturday, April 11 to answer questions from District residents regarding providing information about health insurance for their tax returns. The Affordable Care Act requires residents to have qualifying health insurance for the entire year, report a health coverage exemption, or make a payment when they file their taxes. Additionally, DC Health Link is holding a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) for District residents who may be subject to a federal tax penalty because they did not have health insurance. These District residents may be learning about the penalty for the first time when they file their 2014 federal tax returns.
WHEN/WHERE:
Saturday, April 4, 2015 and Saturday, April 11, 2015
DC Health Link Extended Call Center Hours
9 am – 6 pm (Both days)
1(855) 532-LINK (5465)
TTY/TTD 711-1-532-5465
Contact: Joan Hummons [email protected], [email protected]; (202) 527-4484
BACKGROUND:
The Special Enrollment Period for District residents who may be subject to a federal tax penalty started March 15, 2015, and will end on April 30, 2015. To qualify, a resident must attest that when the person filed their 2014 federal tax return, the taxpayer paid a tax penalty to the IRS for not having health coverage in 2014. A person can also qualify if when preparing the 2014 federal taxes the taxpayer first became aware of, or understood the implications of, the tax penalty after open enrollment ended on February 15, 2015. With this new SEP, even though open enrollment ended, a qualified person can shop and enroll in affordable health insurance through the District’s on-line marketplace called DC Health Link.
Individuals who did not have health coverage in 2014 are required to pay a tax penalty to the IRS. The penalty is 1% of gross household income over the federal income tax filing threshold (the minimum amount of gross income an individual or family must make to be required to file a tax return) or $95 per individual—whichever is greater. For 2015, the penalty increases to $325 per individual, or 2% of gross household income over the tax filing threshold—whichever is greater.
Uninsured District residents who do not enroll during this Special Enrollment Period and do not qualify for other SEPs will not be able to sign up for coverage until the 2016 Open Enrollment Period, which starts November 1, 2015. These residents may be subject to a federal tax penalty when they file their 2015 federal income taxes. Residents who are eligible for Medicaid can enroll throughout the year. The Affordable Care Act provides individuals, families, and small businesses in the District of Columbia with affordable options for quality health insurance. DC Health Link is the District’s online health insurance marketplace which allows visitors to shop, compare, and enroll in coverage that fits their needs and budgets.
Eligible District residents can enroll in a health insurance plan through DCHealthLink.com. Small businesses—as well as individuals and families eligible for Medicaid—can enroll through DCHealthLink.com at any point.