A special provision of the Affordable Care Act, which requires each taxpayer to have qualifying health care, comes into effect when you file your tax return.

Unless you meet a certain exemption, you are expected to have a health care plan which meets the minimum requirements of the Affordable Care Act. The Individual Shared Responsibility Provision states than any taxpayer who can afford health care and isn’t exempt from purchasing it must make a payment at tax time. This payment is calculated using Form 8965.

Many taxpayers will simply check a box on their return that indicates that they had acceptable health care coverage for the tax year. You are responsible for ensuring both you and your dependents are covered, unless you qualify for an exemption. While some exemptions have to be claimed through the Marketplace, many are claimed directly on your tax return.

Choosing to file your tax return electronically can save you time and ensure you have prepared your return correctly, regardless of your health care coverage status. Electronic filing uses special software that will help you accurately claim an exemption, indicate your coverage, or even make a quick individual shared responsibility payment effortlessly. This year, chose to e-file and learn more about how the Affordable Care Act affects your taxes.