Should the health pen. exemp. be filed AFTER filing taxes? The appl. says you CANNOT req. it for time in the past and you file for it when filling taxes. So, File 1040X)?

[lindahoornaert]

TurboTax states you file for the health ins. penalty exemption AFTER you file your taxes at healthcare.gov. However, the instructions on the form (8965) states you CANNOT file for the exemption for time in the past and that it must be filed for when you file your taxes.  These contradict each other.  So, would you recommend filing the 1040X now to amend the tax return and is TurboTax wrong?

[TaxGuyBill · Accepted solution]

That "Learn More" link in TurboTax is wrong.  You need to apply for the Hardship exemption at Healthcare.gov first.  However, if you have applied and not yet received approval or the Exemption Certificate Number (ECN), you can still file your tax return (it will put "Pending" on Form 8965).

If you have already filed your tax return for that (and your Form 8965 shows "pending"), it probably isn't a big deal.  Just apply for the exemption now.

Does that answer your question?