Has It Ended?


The IRS has stated that filling out line 61 on Federal Tax Returns is no longer required. What is the significance of this 1 line? This was the line that was added due to the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) and its requirement that all carry health coverage. In the past, if the answer was “No”, there would be a penalty given. If an answer was not given, it would be considered a “silent return” and rejected.
          All returns filed this year will be treated differently. Taxpayers may continue answer the question, but if they do not, their returns will continue to be processed. This is most likely due to an Executive Order signed on the first day of the Trump administration. Keep in mind that the Affordable Care Act is still in effect and any Returns that withhold information from Line 61 could still be penalized at a later date.

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