How do I respond to health insurance question if I was unemployed for several months in 2017 with no insurance?

[mickee54]

I do not see an option for no insurance.

[mickee54]

I am working on my MA state return and an answer is required for which type of insurance we had. I don't see an option for "no insurance." I was hoping the federal info would transfer over.

[HelenC1]

I added some screenshots, from MA state income tax return, to show months without insurance. I hope that helps. Good luck and thank you for using TurboTax.

[HelenC1 · Accepted solution]

The answer below is for tax years 2018 and prior. For tax years 2019 and beyond, the Trump administration repealed the Obama administration Affordable Care Act (ACA) health insurance penalty for not having health insurance.  However, some states and jurisdictions will continue to assess their own penalty—specifically New Jersey, Massachusetts, and the District of Columbia. If you live in one of these states, contact your Department of Revenue for more information about ways you can avoid paying the health insurance penalty.

There is an option to choose the months you did not have health insurance:

1. On the left navigation bar, click on Federal.
2. Click on the Health Insurance tab.
3. On the Did you have health insurance coverage in 2017? screen, click on the 3rd option, I'll pick who had it and which months.
4. On the Select the months each of you had health insurance in 2017 screen, click on the months you had health insurance.
5. Continue with the onscreen interview until complete.

Related information:

• What is the Affordable Care Act (ACA)?
• How much is the Affordable Care Act penalty?
• Can I get a health insurance penalty exemption in 2018?
• How do I file Form 8965 for the health coverage exemption for 2018?

Source: TurboTax FAQ

[Edited 3-19-2020|6:00 am PST] 

[mickee54]

Thank you for the screenshots but the last one does not appear on my MA state return. I completed the question in the federal return (which months I had coverage), but on the MA return, it asks where I got my insurance (private company, Government, Medicare, etc). None of these apply because I did not have coverage for several months when we moved here and were unemployed!  I do not see an option for "unemployed" or "no insurance."

[HelenC1]

My last screenshot is directly from the MA state return. I am trying to recreate your situation. There isn't an Unemployed option. You would have had to file an exemption with MA to see if they would approve it due to being unemployed. Otherwise, you have to have coverage. What kind of insurance did you have prior to becoming unemployed? For example, BCBS is private company.

[mickee54]

I appreciate your help and the screenshots are helpful except my MA return does not look the same - I promise! Should I put the insurance company information for the coverage I have now and have had since September 2017?

[mickee54]

I was able to figure it out with your help. Thank you so much!

[HelenC1]

I'm so glad you were able to figure it out. Have a great tax year!