Integrating Affordable Health Insurance into Tax Prep Programs

Peer Learning Session Schedule:

*Topics may change based on feedback from participants. Before each session, we will poll the participants to find out how you and your peers would like to spend the session.

Session Materials

Providing tax volunteers and clients information about the Affordable Care Act:

• Action Idea 1 – Tax sites can develop a script or set of basic points that all volunteers cover with tax clients as a part of completing their tax return
  
• Action Idea 2 – Tax sites can provide basic handouts and resources about the Affordable Care Act and its implications for clients’ 2014 tax returns
  • ***NEW RESOURCE***
    Modifiable coverage examples handout – Created by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
• Action Idea 3 – Tax sites can use the Subsidy Calculator (yes, it works on mobile devices!) to help clients roughly calculate their Premium Tax Credits and estimate their out-of-pocket health insurance premiums
  Access the Kaiser Subsidy Calculator here. Watch a video about using the Kaiser Calculator here.
• Action Idea 4 – Tax sites can use the ACA Penalty Calculator to help clients roughly calculate their tax penalties if they don’t enroll in affordable health insurance.
  Access the Penalty Calculator here.

Helping tax clients apply for health insurance through the exchanges:

• Action Idea 4 – Tax sites can screen clients for health insurance and for potential Premium Tax Credits
  CBPP published a screening tool here.
• Action Idea 5 – Tax sites can refer clients to a third party – located at the tax site or elsewhere – for help completing a application
  CBPP published a sample referral form here.
• Action Idea 6 – Tax sites can provide basic assistance in completing health insurance exchange applications, often with information that clients already have with them

Assisting tax clients with health insurance plan selection:

• Action Idea 7 – Tax sites can train their volunteers to be Certified Application Counselors (CAC)
  Apply to be a CAC here.

General Resources

Watch the A Wealthier and  Healthier Tax Time Webinar

• Watch the full webinar.
• Watch Part I: EITC/CTC Basics, presented by Janet Topolsky, Aspen Institute Community Strategies Group
• Watch Part II: The Affordable Care Act and Taxes, presented by Tara Straw, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
• Watch Part III: Integrating ACA and EITC/CTC Efforts in Central Texas, presented by Elizabeth Colvin, Foundation Communities
• Download Webinar Presentation Slides
• Review the Webinar Questions and Answers (text)

Become a Certified Application Counselor

• Visit marketplace.cms.gov/training/get-training.html to complete the training today!

Get more information about the Earned Income Tax Credit:

• View the EITC and CTC Resource Guide.
• eitc.irs.gov
• tax-coalition.org
• eitcoutreach.org
• eitcplatform.org

Training Resources:

• Understand the KFF Requirement to Buy Coverage under the Affordable Care Act [Kaiser Family Foundation].
• Download the Insure Central Texas Info Sheet for a checklist of documents to bring when receiving tax preparation assistance and a worksheet to help consumers determine what’s most important for them in selecting an insurance plan.  [Insure Central Texas].
• Download the MAGI Tool for assistance in determining the Modified Adjusted Gross Income under the Affordable Care Act [UC Berkeley Labor Center].
• Download this Guide for Self-Employed Taxpayers and Independent Contractors to assist in calculating total income and expenses for the year.
• Help Eligible Families Enroll in New Health Insurance Coverage: What Tax Credit Outreach Campaigns Can Do [Center on Budget and Policy Priorities]
• EITC Outreach in Rural Communities [Center on Budget and Policy Priorities]