Congress eliminated the federal tax penalty for not having health insurance, effective January 1, 2019.

Some states (CA, MA, NJ, and RI) and DC have adopted individual mandates with state tax penalties for not having health insurance. One state (VT) also has an individual mandate but does not impose a tax penalty for not having coverage. Check with your tax advisor or state insurance department for more information.

Regardless of the penalty, it is important to have health coverage if you can. You can sign up during the annual Open Enrollment period which begins in the Fall. People with lower incomes may be eligible to enroll any time during the year. Depending on your income and other factors, you may be eligible for financial assistance when selecting a Marketplace plan.