For Kentuckians unaware of penalties for failing to sign up for health insurance, opening their taxes this year could be a rude awakening. That’s why Gov. Steve Beshear has announced he’s adding an additional sign-up window between March 2 and April 30 for last-minute customers.
"It's a very complicated bill and a lot of Kentuckians have not realized until probably right now that there are some tax penalties here if they don't get signed up for some kind of health coverage. And so I think that's come to the forefront now that tax season is here," he said Wednesday.
Under the Affordable Care Act, individuals without health insurance in 2014 must pay $95 or one percent of household income, whichever is greater. In 2015, that number leaps to $325 or two percent of household income.
Beshear says the state will be working to educate Kentuckians on the new deadlines.
