No health coverage for 2018
If you weren’t enrolled in
for all or part of 2018, you may have to pay a
with your federal income tax return.
FYI: If you didn’t have health coverage for only 1 or 2 consecutive months of the year, you may not have to pay the fee. You’ll report this exemption on your tax return. Learn more about this exemption.
You will NOT get Form 1095-A unless you or someone in your household had Marketplace coverage for all or part of 2018.
Find out if you qualify for an exemption from the coverage requirement
Exemptions are available based on a number of situations, including certain hardships, some life events, health coverage or financial status, and membership in some groups.
Pay the fee if you don’t qualify for an exemption
- If you chose not to buy health insurance in 2018 and don’t qualify for a health coverage exemption, you may have to pay a penalty with your federal tax return.
- The penalty is based on your income and how many months you didn’t have coverage. Generally, the higher your income and the more months you didn’t have health insurance, the higher the fee.
Tax forms and instructions:
- Form 1040, U.S. Individual Income Tax Return (PDF, 578 KB) and Form 1040 instructions (PDF, 3.1 MB)
- Form 8965 – Health Coverage Exemptions (PDF, 72 KB) and Form 8965 Instructions (PDF, 481 KB)
Health care tax resources
Calculate your penalty
- Use the IRS Individual Shared Responsibility Payment Estimator to estimate your fee.
- Learn how to calculate and make your payment.
More than one coverage status?
If you weren't enrolled in any health coverage for only part of 2018, or other family members had different coverage, visit the relevant pages below.
Learn what to do for: