Being uninsured in America will cost you more in 2015.
It’s the first year all taxpayers have to report to the Internal Revenue Service whether they had health insurance for the previous year, as required under President Barack Obama’s law.
Those who were uninsured face fines, unless they qualify for one of about 30 exemptions, most of which involve financial hardships.
Many people don’t realize it, but those fines are going up significantly in 2015.
Dayna Dayson of Phoenix estimates that she’ll have to pay the taxman about $290 on her federal return.
Dayson is in her early 30s. She works in marketing, and doesn’t have a lot left over each month.
She says she’d like health insurance, but it just didn’t fit into her budget.
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In his Nov. 12, 2014 file photo, the HealthCare.gov website, where people can buy health insurance, on a laptop screen, shown in Portland, Ore. Being uninsured in America will cost you more in 2015. In 2015, all taxpayers have to report to the Internal Revenue Service for the first time whether or not they had health insurance the previous year. Most will check a box. It’s also when the IRS starts collecting fines from some uninsured people, and deciding if others qualify for exemptions. (AP Photo/Don Ryan, File)
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In this photo taken Aug. 21, 2014, health care tax forms 8962, 1095-A, and 8965, are seen in Washington. Being uninsured in America will cost you more in 2015. In 2015, all taxpayers have to report to the Internal Revenue Service for the first time whether or not they had health insurance the previous year. Most will check a box. It’s also when the IRS starts collecting fines from some uninsured people, and deciding if others qualify for exemptions. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
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In this photo taken Aug. 21, 2014 shows health care tax forms 8965, in Washington. Being uninsured in America will cost you more in 2015. In 2015, all taxpayers have to report to the Internal Revenue Service for the first time whether or not they had health insurance the previous year. Most will check a box. It’s also when the IRS starts collecting fines from some uninsured people, and deciding if others qualify for exemptions. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
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