1040 Line 61 (Health Insurance) - What is the Current Ruling?

[ivflight]

Help?

 

[angelatc]

Just tell them you were homeless at some pointin the year and get the exemption.

 

[TheCount]

In previous years the IRS accepted 1040's even if the filer ignored line 61, the one asking if you've had health coverage. I've searched and searched and found only articles from early 2017 indicating that this was the case, but then one of more articles in late 2017 indicating that the IRS would no longer accept returns that did not answer the question. I can't find any recent articles that report on what is actually happening this filing season.


Does anyone know? Have you been able to e-file while leaving the box blank?

His Majesty the God Emperor, double Ds be upon him, did last year bequeath upon us, his miserable subjects, by virtue of his Imperial signature and word, in honor of the year of the beginning of his reign - may it last forever - the boon of not having to pay the health insurance tax.


But lo, what the God Emperor giveth by his hand, he can taketh away by his hand. In honor of the first anniversary of his coronation, he bestowed upon us, the worms crawling in his mighty shadow, a fête of bread and weed, but took away the tax exemption, exchanging one gift for another.

 

[H_H]

His Majesty the God Emperor, double Ds be upon him, did last year bequeath upon us, his miserable subjects, by virtue of his Imperial signature and word, in honor of the year of the beginning of his reign - may it last forever - the boon of not having to pay the health insurance tax.


But lo, what the God Emperor giveth by his hand, he can taketh away by his hand. In honor of the first anniversary of his coronation, he bestowed upon us, the worms crawling in his mighty shadow, a fête of bread and weed, but took away the tax exemption, exchanging one gift for another.

Reference? I thought individual mandate was gone. You seem to be saying it came back in January somehow?

 

[Swordsmyth]

Reference? I thought individual mandate was gone. You seem to be saying it came back in January somehow?

I don't know the answer to the OP's question but the mandate is gone forever next year, I think it was part of the budget.

 

[H_H]

I don't know the answer to the OP's question but the mandate is gone forever next year, I think it was part of the budget.

Wait, so not this year?

 

[Swordsmyth]

Wait, so not this year?

I don't know if they are enforcing it but the law didn't kill it till 2019.

 

[ivflight]

I'm amazed I can't find an answer to this.

 

[oyarde]

I doubt if someone who owns half a dozen houses can get away with that...

I'm amazed I can't find an answer to this. I'm still working on my taxes and haven't gotten to efiling yet, so I might not find out until the last minute. Technically, since I'm self-employed and never have a refund, the IRS shouldn't be able to collect any penalty from me, but I'd still rather just ignore the question.

I wonder if I should print it out and mail it in...?

Yes , I would just print it and mail it .

 

[NorthCarolinaLiberty]

What would keep them from easily sending you a letter to either "prove" you have insurance or prove you are exempt? You know they're dying to make an example of the little guy.

 

[ivflight]

What would keep them from easily sending you a letter to either "prove" you have insurance or prove you are exempt? You know they're dying to make an example of the little guy.

They did send me a letter for past tax years because I didn't answer the question. I ignored it and by law there is really nothing they can do.

I'd say it is a bad idea to lie. I just want to get my return in without answering the question.

 

[NorthCarolinaLiberty]

They did send me a letter for past tax years because I didn't answer the question. I ignored it and by law there is really nothing they can do.[/

I'd say it is a bad idea to lie. I just want to get my return in without answering the question.

I'm not sure I follow. If you didn't check the box in past years, then why check it this year? What's changed? Wouldn't they regard your return as incomplete?

I'm in the same situation because I don't want health insurance and don't have it. I used to skip things like mandatory insurance in my 20s, but can't do that so much any more.

 

[specsaregood]

I doubt if someone who owns half a dozen houses can get away with that...

I'm amazed I can't find an answer to this. I'm still working on my taxes and haven't gotten to efiling yet, so I might not find out until the last minute. Technically, since I'm self-employed and never have a refund, the IRS shouldn't be able to collect any penalty from me, but I'd still rather just ignore the question.

I wonder if I should print it out and mail it in...?

So you didn't carry health insurance during the year? Or you just don't want to answer that you did?

 

[Swordsmyth]

In previous years the IRS accepted 1040's even if the filer ignored line 61, the one asking if you've had health coverage. I've searched and searched and found only articles from early 2017 indicating that this was the case, but then one of more articles in late 2017 indicating that the IRS would no longer accept returns that did not answer the question. I can't find any recent articles that report on what is actually happening this filing season.

Does anyone know? Have you been able to e-file while leaving the box blank?

This old thread has some information:

[h=1]Why are people forgetting about Donald Trump's ACA executive order?[/h]

 

[Swordsmyth]

In previous years the IRS accepted 1040's even if the filer ignored line 61, the one asking if you've had health coverage. I've searched and searched and found only articles from early 2017 indicating that this was the case, but then one of more articles in late 2017 indicating that the IRS would no longer accept returns that did not answer the question. I can't find any recent articles that report on what is actually happening this filing season.

Does anyone know? Have you been able to e-file while leaving the box blank?

Another relevant old thread:

[h=1]IRS Won't Reject Tax Returns That Don't Answer Health Insurance Question[/h]

 

[fedupinmo]

I'll let you know in a few months.

 

[ivflight]

So you didn't carry health insurance during the year? Or you just don't want to answer that you did?

I didn't have health insurance and therefor don't want to tell them, because I don't want to be harrassed with penalty letters.

I simply didn't answer the question on past years and the IRS didn't do anything. According to an article I read this will not work anymore:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/kellyp...e-silent-on-healthcare-coverage/#774a3f5f7d7f

I tried to search further and ask here. Very surprised no one knows the answer to this. Millions of people must use Free File Fillable Forms and I'm guessing some tried not answering line 61.

I'm working on Free File Fillable Forms right now. I noticed the box is highlighted yellow this year. Shortly I'll see if it lets me submit my 1040 without checking anything.

 

[ivflight]

Well, I was able to submit my return and the system didn't yell at me right at that moment. However I do know from past years that the return might be bounced back in 24-48 hours if they find some problem. So I guess I'll just wait and see.

 

[ivflight]

My submission got rejected, for the specific reason of me ignoring line 61. Sigh.

Since I did estimated payments, my taxes this year came out to me getting a $17 refund. I wonder if I could just write $17 as the penalty and resubmit?

Or print it out and mail it, in which case it could still get rejected and maybe I still lose the $17 (which I don't care about).

 

[H_H]

Sorry I can't help more, IV. Mailing it seems like an OK option.