What If You Leave Health Insurance Off Your Taxes?

For federal taxes, you generally do not owe a penalty simply because you had no health insurance or did not enter your coverage on your return. Some states and the District of Columbia have their own coverage requirements, however, so you may need to report coverage or claim an exemption on your state return.

If you or a family member had Marketplace coverage, you generally need Form 1095-A to complete Form 8962 and reconcile any advance premium tax credit paid on your behalf. Leaving out that information can delay your return or mean you miss a credit you are entitled to, and you may have to repay some or all of an advance credit depending on your circumstances.

If you had coverage through an employer, Medicare, Medicaid, or another source outside the Marketplace, you generally do not need to attach Form 1095-B or 1095-C to your federal return, although you should keep any forms you receive with your records. Health insurance premiums may also matter if you qualify for a deduction, such as the self-employed health insurance deduction or an itemized medical expense deduction, but not everyone qualifies.

If you have not filed yet, gather your coverage and premium records, including Form 1095-A if anyone in your tax household had Marketplace coverage, and use them to prepare your return. If you already filed and omitted required information or an eligible deduction, review the IRS instructions for an amended return or consult a tax professional; for broader family coverage planning, our newborn health insurance enrollment checklist and our printable PDF, Baby Health Insurance Made Simple, offer a place to start.