Taxpayers need to show that they had health insurance coverage last year to avoid a tax penalty. Any taxpayers that were covered through the Health Insurance Marketplace and received advance premium tax credits will need to file and reconcile their taxes for 2015 to continue receiving credits and insurance. Most health insurance coverage must meet the definition of “minimum essential coverage,” which includes Medicare Part A, Medicaid, employer-based coverage and coverage purchased through the marketplace.
The answer to the coverage question on the tax form will be “yes” if everyone in the tax household had coverage for all months of the year. Taxpayers who had coverage will receive a tax form (1095-A, 1095-B, or a 1095-C) in the mail that they should retain for their personal records. No documentation is required to confirm coverage when filing taxes.
If not all members of the tax household had coverage for the year, they may qualify for an exemption. For a list of exemptions and how to apply for them, visit HealthCare.gov. Taxpayers who do not qualify for an exemption will be subject to a tax penalty paid through the tax-return process by either reducing the tax refund or resulting in a balance due to the IRS.
For those who do their own tax returns, MyFreeTaxes.com is free for filers with an income for 2015 of up to $62,000. Community-based sites are available, operated by Granite United Way, AARP TaxAide and others and providing free tax assistance by IRS-certified volunteers, and listed at NHTaxHelp.org or by dialing 211. For more information, go to coveringnewhampshire.org.
Beauty Within Studios is asking local high school students to donate their gently-used prom dresses. All donations will go to benefit the Bippity Boppity Boutique in Laconia, where owner Kimberly Ainsworth has assisted high school prom attendees from low-income families in previous years. This year, Veronica Kerr of Beauty Within Studios and Spa Specialist Beauty Within, Erin Hallgren of Pure Ten Nail Spa, and Marissa Gatta of Aloe Organic Beauty will also donate a $10 coupon to each participant who donates a garment. For more information, call Bippity Boppity Boutique at 630-8510. The prom dress donation drive will be April 23 from 2 to 6 p.m. at Beauty Within Studios, 124 Hall St., Suite I-1.
Rochester Opera House will offer an April vacation theatre camp for youth ages 6 to 12. Students dance, sing and learn theatre techniques through games and improvisation, while learning to take a play from page to stage. The fee is $225. Registration forms and information can be found at RochesterOperaHouse.com or call 335-1992.
Warner Cooperative Preschool is looking for participants and corporate sponsors for its Relay for the PreK fundraiser during the Spring into Warner Arts celebration on May 14. For more information or to register visit, active.com.
The Meredith Area Chamber of Commerce will sponsor its annual community yard sale May 21 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Participation is open to businesses, organizations and individuals. Registrants will receive an official yard sale sign and be listed on a map that will be distributed. Forms are available at the Meredith Area Chamber of Commerce, 272 Daniel Webster Highway. For more information contact the Chamber at 279-6121 or meredith@lr.net. The deadline for registration is May 10.