How to do avoid health insurance penalty on NJ state tax if I was only able to afford insurance for latter half of the year?

[100theodoros]

I got my green card/work permit in April 2019, and got a part time hourly job and was not able to afford health insurance. Starting in August I got a full time job and enrolled in employer plan. I looked at NJ exemption forms but they look for annual income to qualify for exemptions and I am just over the exemption limit due to the income I received in the latter half of the year (when I already had insurance).Can someone please advise how to get a waiver for Jan - July? Thank you.

[KurtL1]

To claim an exemption form the New Jersey Health Insurance mandate see NJ Claim Exemption.

[1597980]

I submitted my exemption request online several days ago.  How long does it normally take to hear back? If I don't hear back prior to tax filing deadline, I assume I have to pay the shared responsibilities penalty?

[DaveF1006]

You should report the information now and pay the penalty, if you do not hear back regarding the exemption request. Once you receive word and if it is positive, you can amend  your NJ return to get the money back.

[1597980]

Thanks. If I have to file amended return, do I need to pay filing fees again? 

[DawnC]

No.  Amendments are free to file unless your amendment requires an upgrade - but your situation will not require an upgrade.  

[1597980]

Thanks.  That's good to know.

I have asked another question several times on this board but didn't get the answer I need.  I moved to FL in December and TurboTax kept asking me to complete a partial year resident return for FL and I'm not able to complete the other state returns without doing so.  How do I bypass this screen?  Someone responded saying I can delete FL from my state returns but FL is not listed as one of my state returns since I don't need one and it's not prepared.  This is getting very frustrating.  I tried calling but the automated system told me to get help here.

[HeatherPLO]

So we can take a closer look at your specific situation, please reach out to us directly using the Help Article here.  This ensures you will get to the correct department as quickly as possible.  

@1597980 

[1597980]

Thanks. Spoke to someone and found a work around.  Hopefully no issue when I actually do my e-filing.