I lost my healthcare mid Feb 2022, I wasn't able to get coverage through my work until this year. I need to know if I qualify to be able to avoid penalties. I live in California.
Click the exemptions to see if any apply and make sure to include on your California state return, we will interview you when you enter you did not have coverage all year to see what kind of ways we can avoid a penalty for you.
The individual mandate means that Californians must either have qualifying health insurance, or pay a penalty when filing their state tax return unless they qualify for an exemption. How much? For tax year 2022, the penalty will cost at least $850 per adult and $425 per dependent child under 18 in your household. A family of four who goes uninsured for the whole year will owe at least $2,550. Keep in mind, these penalties may vary from year to year.
If your income is below this threshold here you don't even have to file a state return unless you need to get back taxes paid. And, you would not be penalzed for not having insurance.
Affordability is calculated on the lowest-cost coverage available to you through an employer or Covered California. This coverage is considered unaffordable if your costs are more than 8.17% of your projected annual household income in 2022. For example, I make 2,000 a month. My premium must be lower than (2000)x(0.0817)=163.40 a month, or I qualify for the affordability hardship. To determine the cost of the lowest insurance cost call Covered California for tax year 2022. 1-800-300-1506 for Covered California lowest insurance cost questions for tax year 2022.
EDITED | 01/26/2023
@MichaelG81 I did have healthcare until I turned 21 in February, but for the rest of the year I did not. I don't know if I qualify for exemption because of my income.