Health Care Tax

Over on the right they are wailing over the mandate to buy insurance and how the penalty for not having it goes through the IRS and there will be thousands of new agents hired and swarming over the population to take people to jail for not paying this tax.

Total bullshit, outright and blatant lying. Here it what is ACTUALLY written in the bill:

1: “In general, the penalty provided by this section shall be paid upon notice and demand by the secretary. And except as provided in paragraph two, shall be assessed and collected in the same manner as an assessable penalty under Subchapter B of Chapter 68.”

2: “Special rules—notwithstanding any other provision of law—a waiver of criminal penalties in the case of any failure by a taxpayer to timely pay. Any penalty imposed by this section, such taxpayer shall not be subject to any criminal prosecution or penalty with respect to such failure.”

B: “Limitations on liens and levies. The secretary shall not file notice of lien with respect to any property of a taxpayer by reason of any failure to pay the penalty imposed by this section or levy on any such property with respect to such failure.”

What does all that mean? Quite simply that there is NO penalty for not paying the tax for failure to get health insurance.

This means that even though there is a mandate to buy insurance the failure to do so will not be punished in any way, which means there really is no mandate at all.

So rest easy and don't believe Republican lies.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Can the Individual Mandate Be Enforced? (theatlantic.com)
• Can't afford to pay your taxes? (money.cnn.com)