If you reside in the following jurisdictions, you are legally required to maintain health insurance or pay a penalty when filing your taxes:
At the federal level, the individual mandate—part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA)—technically still exists, but the penalty for non-compliance was reduced to $0 in 2019. This means the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will not fine you on your federal tax return if you choose to go without coverage. do i have to buy health insurance
In 2026, whether you "have" to buy health insurance depends on where you live. While there is no longer a federal financial penalty for being uninsured, several states have implemented their own mandates. 1. Federal Law (The ACA) If you reside in the following jurisdictions, you