As people get ready to file their 2014 federal tax return, the U.S. government estimates that up to six million households may have to pay a penalty because they did not have health insurance coverage last year, officials told The Wall Street Journal.
Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, most people are required to have health coverage or pay a fee. However, there are exemptions from the payment.
Officials told The Wall Street Journal that about 30 million, or up to 20 percent, of tax filers who didn't have coverage for most or any of 2014 likely will ask for and receive an exemption from the penalty.
Based on the percentages of affected tax filers provided by the Treasury Department, it is anticipated that about 2 percent to 4 percent of tax filers will have to pay the fine for not being covered last year, according to the report. That fine is 1 percent of yearly household income, or $95 per adult, whichever is greater.
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