Tax Season Got You Down? Blame Obamacare

What do you hate the most about taxes? Is it the simple fact that you have to file them? Is it the fear of being chosen for an audit? Is it all the confusing changes on tax laws and policies that drive you nuts? There are a lot of reasons people hate dealing with taxes, but this year, there could be a new number one reason for aggravation. Obamacare!

Although it’s actually called the Affordable Care Act, Obamacare, as most people know it, is sure to bring a lot of confusion and frustration this tax season. It will affect just about everyone in some way, but some more than others. Three aspects of your return in particular could feel the effects of Obamacare.

First and foremost, there is the individual penalty if you don’t have insurance. Here’s how the penalty works. If you don’t have insurance then you will pay the greater of the these two amounts:

  • 1 percent of your annual household income, or
  • $95 per person in the household for the entire year ($47.50 for those under 18).

Obamacare will also affect the Net Investment Income Tax, because as part of the plan there is a new 3.8 percent tax that will be added on to the capital gain rate. This 3.8 percent is applied to either the amount by which your adjusted gross income exceeds a certain tax threshold or to your net investment income; whichever is less.

Lastly, the Premium tax credit will also see the effects of Obamacare. Anyone who had health insurance via a Health Care Exchange could see the government subsidize his or her premiums.

So there you have it. Like it or not, Obamacare is probably going to affect you this year no matter what tax boat you’re in. Of course, we can help you get through the murky waters of the Affordable Health Care Act and ensure that you get the most from your return. Just call us at 1-877-CPA-2006 or click here.

/GROCO
Posted in

Could Buying a Rental Home Really Help Pay for College?

It’s back to school and for many that means school supplies and new clothes, but what about kids who are heading off to college? Their expenses are much greater than a few new outfits, pencils, paper and glue sticks. Besides the cost of tuition, most college students have to deal with the added expenses of…

Could You Lose Health Care if You Don’t File a Tax Return?

There’s been no shortage of confusion since the Affordable Healthcare Act became a law. Likewise, there has been no shortage of discontent with the bill, either. Obamacare, as it is widely known, continues to find ways to leave people in the dark not only about their healthcare, but also about their taxes. So what’s the…

Tax Scam Bill Reaches More Than $20 Million

Do you know where your tax return is? Are you sure that next year’s tax return is safe? It’s clear that the IRS does not have a strong prevention plan in place to stop would-be tax scammers from getting to your personal information and then using it to steal your tax return. According to a…

Clinton Offers Idea of New Tax Credit for Certain Businesses

While democrats and republicans will continue to fight it out over taxes and how to improve our economy, especially during the run-up to the presidential election, the battle generally stays the same. Democrats want to take more money, especially from the wealthy, and the republicans want to keep more money in taxpayers’ wallets. Surprisingly, however,…