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The Impact of the Affordable Care Act on Taxpayers Mark Ciaramitaro - VP Health Care Services May 21, 2014. ACA has created a clear intersection between Health Care & Taxes. Step into the mind of a Consumer. Overwhelmed with information
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The Impact of the Affordable Care Act on Taxpayers Mark Ciaramitaro - VP Health Care ServicesMay 21, 2014
ACA has created a clear intersection between Health Care & Taxes
Step into the mind of a Consumer • Overwhelmed with information • Given the politics …don’t know what sources of information to trust • Unaware, confused and worried about the Tax consequences • On-going concerns about affordability Affordable Care Act Individual Mandate Marketplace Subsidy Open Enrollment Premium Deductible Tax Penalty Tax Credits
What could Tax Filers be facing in the upcoming Tax Season ?
Six Major 2015 Tax Impacts • Health insurance coverage verification • Premium Tax credit “reconciliation” • Non-coverage Tax penalties • Exemption eligibility • New Tax form complexity • Estimating future Tax impacts
1. Health Insurance Coverage Verification • Purpose: Indicate the period that individuals/household members were covered under qualified health plans • 1095-A • 1095-B • 1095-C CLIENT IMAGE • Issued by larger (>50) employers for coverage • of full-time employees • Issued by insurance issuers, military, small employers and • self-insured employers • Issued by Health Marketplace Voluntary for 2014
Potential Tax Filer issues • Tax filer awareness of need to save/bring notices • Late issuance and incomplete 1095 notices • Documentation needed when 1095 not issued
2. Advance Tax Credit “Reconciliation” Purpose: Adjust the credit, based upon actual 2014 household income Step 1. Determine Actual Premium Tax Credit • Determine 2014 actual modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) • Compare to FPL family size bracket • Calculate share of premium cost as a percentage (2% to 9.5%) of MAGI • Subtract from benchmark premium in client's rating area to get the actual Premium Tax Credit amount
2. Advance Tax Credit “Reconciliation” Purpose: Adjust the credit, based upon actual 2014 household income Step 2. Compare to Advance Tax Credit used in 2014 • Calculate difference between Advance Tax Credit used in 2014 and the actual Premium Tax Credit • If actual Premium Tax Credit is > the Advance Tax Credit used, client receives difference in the form of a refundable credit • If actual Premium Tax Credit < the Advance Tax Credit used, an additional tax liability is applied to the federal tax return
2. Advance Tax Credit “Reconciliation” Purpose: Adjust the credit, based upon actual 2014 household income Step 3. Adjust the tax return based on difference • Any tax liability* is further adjusted, based upon household income and filing status table • Step 3. Adjust the tax return based on difference • Any tax liability* is further adjusted, based upon household income and filing status table
Potential Tax Filer issues • Basic awareness of how the Premium Tax credit works and the need for reconciliation • Increased Tax preparation complexity (especially if only partial year coverage) • Refund and Taxes due impact due to overpayment of Premium Tax Credit • Potential return processing delays without proper documentation
The Tax Penalty Most Americans who do not get qualified health insurance coverage may face a tax penalty
3. Two Methods of Tax Penalty Assessment Purpose: Determine the tax penalty, based upon 2014 individual/household insurance coverage gaps 1. Flat Fee Calculation Method • $95 for every adult, $47.50 for non-covered dependent children under the age of 18 • Maximum family penalty is $285 • 2. Percentage Calculation Method • 1% x (MAGI – the household tax filing threshold) • Example: Single person earning MAGI of $55,000 • 1% x ($35,000 - $10,150) = $450 Apply whichever penalty amount is greater OR
3. Tax Penalty Assessment Purpose: Determine the tax penalty, based upon 2014 individual/household insurance coverage gaps 3. Calculate impact on the tax return • For clients receiving a tax refund, the tax penalty will reduce the refund amount • For clients with a net *tax liability, the penalty will be added to their taxes • Max penalty must not exceed national average for a bronze plan.
Potential Tax Filer issues • Confusion regarding amount of the Tax penalty and how its calculated • Increased complexity driven by variance in household member coverage or partial coverage • Tax refund or Taxes due impact • Inability or unwillingness to pay Tax penalties
The Tax Penalty Most Americans who do not get qualified health insurance coverage may face a tax penalty But what about exemptions?
There are 14 Exemption categories! But they fall into 2 broad buckets
4a.Tax Penalty Exemptions • a. Tax Return Exemptions Purpose: Indicate individual/household who qualify for exemptions from tax penalties Tax Return or Marketplace Unaffordable Coverage Options Member of Indian tribe Member of Healthcare Sharing Ministry Incarceration • Tax Return Only* • Not Lawfully Present • Short Term Coverage Gaps • Coverage Effective by May 1, 2014 • Income Below Filing Requirement *Automatic exemptions – likely just require a checkbox • Note: Automatic exemption issued for those whose income is below the filing threshold
4b.Tax Penalty Exemptions • 2. Marketplace Issued Exemption Certificates Purpose: Indicate individual/household who qualify for exemptions from tax penalties • Marketplace Only* • Indian Health Service Eligibility • Member of Religious Sect with Insurance Objection • 15 Hardship Exemptions – Most Common *Will likely be a key code number included • Note: Automatic exemption issued for those whose income is below the filing threshold
Hardship Exemptions … and growing • Available via Marketplace Only • Homelessness • Eviction / Foreclosure • Utility shut off • Domestic Violence Victims • Death of a Close Family Member • Disaster Victims • Bankruptcy • Medical Expenses – Unpaid • Ill, Disabled, or Aging Family Members • Dependent Children w/out Insurance • Marketplace Eligibility Appeals Decision • Medicaid Ineligibility – non-expanded states • Cancellation of Health Plan • AmeriCorps (State and National) / VISTA / National Civilian Community Corps Members • Other Hardships • Note: Automatic exemption issued for those whose income is below the filing threshold
Potential Tax Filer issues • Awareness of exemptions eligibility and exemption submission process( via the FFM/SBM Marketplaces) • Getting proper Exemption documentation during Tax preparation
5. Tax Form filing Implications ... • Tax form complexity • Tax form usage • More time/Higher costs • Mistakes, Delays, Amendments and Notices
Potential Tax Filer issues • Understanding new 1040 lines and worksheets • Coverage and exemption documentation requirements • Ability to continue to use 1040EZ • Where to go for answers to Tax questions • Potential media hyped political venting and confusion during the Tax filing season
6. Future Tax Impacts • Implications of 2/15 Open Enrollment end date • For those applying for Tax Credits -accurately estimating future income • Calculating potential future tax penalty amounts and future eligibility for Exemptions • IRS Tax Notices due to incomplete or inaccurate documentation
In a nutshell, the upcoming Tax filer impact is pervasive and complex! • Low awareness NEW 1095 insurance coverage verification notices • Confusing Tax credit reconciliation ! • Surprising Tax penalty amounts and potentially frustrating penalty Exemption eligibility process • Increased complexity with new IRS line worksheets, schedules and forms • Difficulty ascertaining potential future tax impacts
Needed industry actions to address the coming Tax filer confusion • Timely release of new IRS Tax forms, instructions and guidance …so that the industry can prepare …. and avoid processing delays • HHS/CMS needs to consider Tax impacts and dialog with the Industry before issuing further changes that impact tax filers. • Focus around timely issuance of 1095 notices and alternatives if not notice is provided • Broad consumer education around Premium Tax credit reconciliation, penalties and Marketplace Exemption process • Thorough and complete Tax Preparer training, tools and access to help • Comprehensive customer support and accurate software content for DIY clients • IRS should revisit 7216 limitations associated with Tax Preparers providing Health Plan enrollment assistance … to help avoid future tax penalties