Lots of drama on possible repeal/repair of the Affordable Care Act with the House vote postponed to Friday (March 24) (see CNBC story). There are a lot of tax provisions in the ACA. I’ll share a list of created of them based on when they went into effect (and the Cadillac tax has not yet gone into effect). And one provision was only added in December 2016 via bi-partisan legislation!
The tax law is difficult to understand due to its numerous special rules. This is apparent on just about every news show about the House Republican/President Trump’s bill to replace/repair the Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare). Last night, I saw a bit of a CNN town hall with HHS Secretary Tom Price. Questions were raised about the bill providing significant benefits to high income/wealthy individuals. In addition to repeal of the Net Investment Income Tax (Section 1411), a comment was made by the CNN reporter about repealing the ACA rule regarding a compensation limit on high compensation of health insurance companies.
The House Republican plan to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare) that was released on March 6 omits something that the House Republican health reform blueprint of June 2016 said would be included. The missing item is a big one, that if modified, would make the tax law more equitable, reduce health care spending, raise revenue (that could be used to help those without insurance), and help a lot of people know what their health insurance costs.
Today, all owners face three significant headwinds that increase the difficulty of a successful business exit. One is our flat economy—today and for the foreseeable future. The second is the substantially higher tax bill that’s due upon the sale of a business. And last, but not least, is the long-term mediocre investment climate that depresses the amount of income owners can expect from their sale proceeds and other investments. Combined, these three headwinds wreak havoc on an owner’s ability to cross the finish line at all, let alone as they originally planned.
The 115th Congress started on January 3 and repeal of Obamacare (the Affordable Care Act) has begun. Here is information from Majority Speaker Paul Ryan including the budget resolution to help with the repeal. He states:
Whatever the result of the Presidential Election 2016, it is apparent that we all love the United States. For the record, many of my closest friends represent all parties in this year’s election and I respect all the views. The question is what direction will this country take on taxes with either candidate?
A ruling by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) creates a significant obstacle to a new type of health care network that the Obama administration has promoted as a way to provide better care at lower cost, at least according industry lawyers and providers. Health care markets are rapidly changing as independent doctors and hospitals race to form networks, otherwise known as accountable care organizations, in which they coordinate care for patients. The doctors and hospitals have financial incentives to keep patients healthy and to control costs, and they can share in the savings if they meet performance goals. The new entities, which now cover more than 28 million people, according to Leavitt Partners, help manage care for Medicare beneficiaries, people with employer-sponsored insurance, and consumers who buy coverage through online marketplaces under the Affordable Care Act.
I think it is correct to say that all taxpayers are affected by the Affordable Care Act in some way. Certainly individuals living in the US. All must answer a question on the 1040 as to whether everyone in the “shared responsibility family” (basically those listed on the return), had health coverage for all months of the year. If there are any uncovered months, the next step is to see if an exemption applies for that month. If no exemption for any month, a penalty is computed and reported on the 1040. Read more
The Affordable Care Act requires you, your spouse and your dependents to have qualifying health care coverage for each month of the year, qualify for a health coverage exemption, or make an Individual Shared Responsibility Payment when filing your federal income tax return. If you had coverage for all of 2015, you will simply check a box on your tax return to report that coverage.
However, if you don’t have qualifying health care coverage and you meet certain criteria, you might be eligible for an exemption from coverage. Most exemptions are can be claimed when you file your tax return, but some must be claimed through the Marketplace. Read more
To be eligible for the Premium Tax Credit under the Affordable Care Act, all of the following must apply:
• Your income must be between 100% and 400% of Federal Poverty Line (see below) for a given family size.
• You cannot be claimed as a dependent.
• If married, you must file a joint return (although some exceptions may apply).
• You must be enrolled in a qualified health plan through Marketplace.
• Cannot be eligible for other minimum essential coverage.
• Premiums must be paid.
Under the Affordable Care Act, the IRS will be implementing a number of new forms. One such form is the 1095-C form, which will be completed by employers, and which will become mandatory for tax year 2015.
Employers with 50 or more full-time employees are required to file Form 1095-C, both with the employee and with the IRS.
This form includes information about whether the employer offered qualifying health coverage to the employee, spouse and dependents, for some or all months during the year.
Form 1095-C provides the following information:
Part I
• Employee’s name, SSN, address. Read more
The Premium Tax Credit, under the Affordable Care Act, is a refundable tax credit that helps eligible people with moderate incomes afford health insurance purchased through the Health Insurance Marketplace.
If you are eligible for the credit, you can choose to:
• Get it now: Have some or all of the estimated credit paid in advance on your behalf directly to your insurance company, to lower what you pay out-of-pocket for your monthly premiums during 2015. These payments are called advance payments of the premium tax credit.
OR
• Get it later: Wait to get the credit when you file your 2015 tax return in 2016. This means, then, that no Read more
The IRS’s New Passport Program (Part 1 of 2)
An IRS Hot Button – What Is Really The Cost? Part II
Using Video to Grow Your Tax Business – Webinar June 29
Everything About New York’s Online Sales Tax
Practice Ignition Training Webinar – Wednesday, June 28th
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