We are excited to announce that the addition of the Affordability Worksheet (Phase II of Health Insurance redesign) will be released soon (tomorrow that is – 1/12/18)! Click here to then download a PDF providing additional information regarding the implementation of the Affordability Worksheet. The PDF will be found on the left-hand navigation bar after clicking the link.
Remember, the intent on the redesign after adding the Affordability Worksheet is specific to the order in which claiming exemptions is presented to the user. Previously, the determination to claim the affordability exemption was presented too early in the Health Insurance menu way before users had the opportunity to claim other coverage exemptions that applied (causing increased legwork on the preparer). The general order for claiming exemptions for not having Health Insurance is as follows:
- Program first determines if “Household or Gross Income below Filing Threshold” exemption applies
- If the return qualifies, exemption is applied to the return and the Health Insurance menu is complete
- If the return does not qualify, move to Step 2.
- Preparer is now asked if any household members received a Marketplace Issued Exemption Certificate or qualifies to claim another coverage exemptions besides affordability
- If the household members came to your site with a Marketplace Issued Exemption Certificate or qualified for another coverage exemption, this information can be entered into the program and applied accordingly to each applicable household member
- If a Marketplace Issued Exemption Certificate was not received (or will not be applied for) and another coverage exemption does not qualify, the preparer can then make the determination to see if the “Coverage is Considered Unaffordable” applies and are then taken through those steps.