PLEASE NOTE:  THIS INFORMATION ONLY APPLIES TO PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT CURRENTLY ENROLLED IN MEDICARE.

Most of us don’t exactly love tax season, but many of you might feel eager to get it over with. That’s especially true if you expect to receive a refund. But before you get started, make sure you’ve received your Form 1095-A, or your proof of health insurance coverage, as required by both the Affordable Care Act and California state law. These forms are sent to individuals and families who are enrolled in a healthcare plan through Covered California or via a private insurance provider. You will need it before you can correctly file your income tax return.

First, the form details your health insurance coverage for the year, so that you can prove you complied with the law and avoid any applicable penalties. While the penalty for failing to enroll in health insurance coverage has been set at 0 dollars at the federal level, California does have its own law regarding coverage. You want to be sure to prove your status so that you aren’t at risk of any undue charges by the state.

Second, you need your Form 1095-A so that your premium subsidy (if you received one) can be correctly calculated. When the subsidy is incorrectly calculated, you could end up overpaid and owing that money back to the government. Obtaining the correct subsidy also helps you to maintain your healthcare coverage, which of course is critically important in the even that you become ill or injured.

Look for your Form 1095-A to arrive in the mail by mid-February. If you haven’t receive your form by that time, you might be able to access it by logging into your healthcare plan company’s online portal. If not, call us for further assistance and we’ll be happy to help you track it down.