The tax code is inextricably linked to the Affordable Care Act. Insurance subsidies are delivered through tax credits. People must report their insurance status on their 1040s and if they have no coverage, must pay penalties. Those whose subsidies turned out to be too high or too low must reconcile those payments when they file their returns. This connection makes the tax filing moment an ideal time to enroll lower-income households in Medicaid or a health insurance exchange plan, and to update income eligibility to reduce future penalties.
On February 24, the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center convened an event examining how tax filers will be affected by the ACA and discussed ways to improve the process. There were four short presentations followed by discussion among the speakers.
Tax filing and the Affordable Care Act
Agenda
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February 24
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Welcome
William G. Gale Senior Fellow - Economic Studies, The Arjay and Frances Fearing Miller Chair in Federal Economic Policy, Co-Director - Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center -
Discussion
Leonard E. Burman Institute Fellow - The Urban Institute, Co-founder - Urban-Brookings Tax Policy CenterMark Ciaramitaro Vice President - Healthcare, H&R BlockTara Straw Senior Policy Analyst - Health Policy Department, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities -
H&R Block's Experience in Helping Consumers Navigate the ACA
Mark Ciaramitaro Vice President - Healthcare, H&R Block -
How ACA Reconciliation Will Affect Tax Filers in 2014
Leonard E. Burman Institute Fellow - The Urban Institute, Co-founder - Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center -
Using Tax Preparation Services to Help Consumers Participate in Insurance Affordability Programs
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Report from the Trenches: ACA and the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program
Tara Straw Senior Policy Analyst - Health Policy Department, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
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