The tax man cometh to police you on health care

Jul 7, 8:09 AM (ET)

By STEPHEN OHLEMACHER



WASHINGTON (AP) - The Supreme Court's decision to uphold most of President Barack Obama's health care law will come home to roost for most taxpayers in about 2 1/2 years, when they'll have to start providing proof on their tax returns that they have health insurance.

That scenario puts the Internal Revenue Service at the center of the debate, renewing questions about whether the agency is capable of policing the health care decisions of millions of people in the United States while also collecting the taxes needed to run the federal government.

Under the law, the IRS will provide tax breaks and incentives to help pay for health insurance and impose penalties on some people who don't buy coverage and on some businesses that don't offer it to employees.

The changes will require new regulations, forms and publications, new computer programs and a big new outreach program to explain it all to taxpayers and tax professionals. Businesses that don't claim an exemption will have to prove they offer health insurance to employees.

The health care law "includes the largest set of tax law changes in more than 20 years," according to the Treasury inspector general who oversees the IRS. The agency will have to hire thousands of workers to manage it, requiring significant budget increases that already are being targeted by congressional Republicans determined to dismantle the president's signature initiative.

"Knowing the complexity of the health law, there's no question that the IRS is going to struggle with this," said Rep. Charles Boustany Jr., R-La., chairman of the House Ways and Means oversight subcommittee. "The IRS wants more resources. Well, we need to start digging down into what are they doing with the resources and personnel."

Read more: http://apnews.myway.com/article/20120707/D9VS2E3O0.html

Now I'll have a job again.

Only in America would overweight, diabetic people with heart disease be upset that they're gonna have healthcare.

Yeah, isn't it a shame that the 1% who can AFFORD health care but refuse to do so (because they would rather be freeloaders and parasites on the system) are finally going to have to be responsible....

When do the re-education centers open? Will uniforms be issued right away or should everyone just show up in work clothes (no, not a suit and tie; bib-overalls or jeans and a shop shirt)? Do we need to bring our valuables along with us to turn them over to our beloved leader or just leave them behind so they can be collected later by our comrades?

Obamacare Police Patrol.
Bad American, Bad American....
Whacha gonna do, whatcha going do when they come for you....

Fact vs. Fiction

Fiction
If you don't buy health insurance, you will be sent to jail.
Fact

Taxpayers who are required to purchase health insurance and do not will receive a notice from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) with the amount of the penalty they owe. Individuals who fail to pay the penalty are not subject to criminal prosecutions and the government cannot file notice of lein or levy any property for a taxpayer who doesn’t pay the penalty.
The obligation for individuals to purchase health insurance beginning in 2014 was included as part of the Affordable Care Act. The provision requires individuals to maintain minimum essential coverage for themselves and their dependents or pay a penalty of $95 in 2014. Families would pay half the amount for children, and the requirement includes a cap on the total allowable fine per family. If affordable health insurance coverage is not available to an individual, then the penalty would be waived. Along with the individual responsibility requirement, the Affordable Care Act also provides subsidies to some individuals beginning in 2014 to help pay for their health insurance premiums and other costs associated with their health insurance.
Taxpayers who are required to pay a fine but fail to do so will receive a notice from Internal Revenue Service (IRS). If an individual still neglects to pay the fine, the IRS can attempt to collect the funds by reducing the amount of their tax refund in the future. Individuals who fail to pay the penalty, however, will not be subject to criminal prosecution. The government cannot file notice of lien or levy on any property for a taxpayer who does not pay the penalty.

Martin Ent Inc wrote: Taxpayers who are required to pay a fine but fail to do so will receive a notice from Internal Revenue Service (IRS). If an individual still neglects to pay the fine, the IRS can attempt to collect the funds by reducing the amount of their tax refund in the future. Individuals who fail to pay the penalty, however, will not be subject to criminal prosecution. The government cannot file notice of lien or levy on any property for a taxpayer who does not pay the penalty.

Yet... What will four more years of this kind of legislation result in? Where do you finally draw a line in the sand and stand your ground? How much more freedom are you willing to hand over to the Gubment because they know what is best for the population? I'm not willing to allow anymore of this kind of Gubment nanny-ism to continue.

Looks as if it is NON enforceable so screw em.

One more reason to show Barry and Team Chicago to the door in November. Who knows what other diabolical deeds have occurred during the "most transparent" administration in the history of the United States? What are the odds that more turds will surface in the punch bowl between now and January? Maybe Barry can go in to the annals of history as the first President to lose a re-election bid and get impeached!