2015 Health Insurance Tax Penalty Calculator

The 2015 health insurance tax penalty was a key provision of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that required certain individuals and families to maintain minimum essential coverage or pay a penalty. This calculator helps you determine if you were subject to the penalty and how much you might owe.

How the 2015 Penalty is Calculated

The penalty for not having health insurance in 2015 was calculated based on your income level and family size. The formula used was:

Penalty = (Monthly Premium × 12) × (Penalty Percentage × Family Size)

Where:

Monthly Premium - The monthly cost of the lowest-cost health insurance plan available in your area
Penalty Percentage - Based on your income level (see table below)
Family Size - Number of people in your household

The penalty percentages for 2015 were:

Income Level	Penalty Percentage
Below 100% of the federal poverty level	2%
100% to 133% of federal poverty level	1%
133% to 200% of federal poverty level	0.5%
200% to 300% of federal poverty level	0.25%
Above 300% of federal poverty level	0%

For example, if your family of four had an income between 133% and 200% of the federal poverty level, your penalty would be 0.5% of the annual cost of the lowest-cost health insurance plan.

Note: The federal poverty level for 2015 was $11,490 for an individual and $23,550 for a family of four. These amounts were adjusted annually for inflation.

Who is Penalized in 2015

The penalty applied to:

U.S. citizens and legal residents
Individuals and families
People who did not have minimum essential coverage for the entire year
Those who were not exempt from the penalty

Common Exemptions

You were exempt from the penalty if you:

Had a religious objection to health insurance
Were enrolled in a hardship exemption
Were a member of a recognized Indian tribe
Were incarcerated
Were a member of a household with income below 100% of the federal poverty level

How to Pay the Penalty

If you owe the 2015 health insurance tax penalty, you had several payment options:

With your 2015 tax return - Report the penalty on Form 8965 and pay it with your tax return
Estimated tax payments - Pay the penalty with your quarterly estimated tax payments
Penalty payment plan - Set up a payment plan through the IRS
Direct payment to IRS - Pay the penalty directly to the IRS

Important: The penalty was due by April 15, 2016, or when you filed your 2015 tax return, whichever came later.

Penalty Calculation Examples

Example 1: Single Person with Income Between 100% and 133% of Poverty Level

Scenario: A single person with income of $15,000 (110% of poverty level) in 2015. The lowest-cost health insurance plan costs $200/month.

Penalty = ($200 × 12) × (1% × 1) = $2,400 × 0.01 = $24

Example 2: Family of Four with Income Between 133% and 200% of Poverty Level

Scenario: A family of four with income of $30,000 (128% of poverty level) in 2015. The lowest-cost health insurance plan costs $300/month.

Penalty = ($300 × 12) × (0.5% × 4) = $3,600 × 0.02 = $72

Frequently Asked Questions

When was the 2015 health insurance tax penalty due?: The penalty was due by April 15, 2016, or when you filed your 2015 tax return, whichever came later.
Can I get a penalty refund if I paid it by accident?: Yes, you may be eligible for a refund if you paid the penalty but were later determined to be exempt or if you had minimum essential coverage for part of the year.
How do I know if I had minimum essential coverage in 2015?: You had minimum essential coverage if you had health insurance through an employer, government program, or marketplace plan, or if you were exempt from the requirement.
What happens if I don't pay the penalty?: If you don't pay the penalty, the IRS may assess additional interest and penalties, and you may be subject to collection actions.