Free 2008 Form 8885 - Federal

Form

8885

OMB No. 1545-0074

Health Coverage Tax Credit
Attach to Form 1040, Form 1040NR, Form 1040-SS, or Form 1040-PR.

Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service

Attachment Sequence No.

2008
134

Name of recipient (if both spouses are recipients, complete a separate form for each spouse)

Recipient's social security number

Before you begin: See Definitions and Special Rules that begin on page 2.

Do not complete this form if you can be claimed as a dependent on someone else's 2008 tax return.
CAUTION

Part I
1

Complete This Part To See if You Are Eligible To Take This Credit

Check the boxes below for each month in 2008 that all of the following statements were true on the first day of that month. You were an eligible trade adjustment assistance (TAA) recipient, alternative TAA (ATAA) recipient, or Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) pension recipient. You were covered by a qualified health insurance plan for which you paid the premiums, or your portion of the premiums, directly to your health plan. You were not entitled to Medicare Part A or enrolled in Medicare Part B. You were not enrolled in Medicaid or the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). You were not enrolled in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) or eligible to receive benefits under the U.S. military health system (TRICARE). You were not imprisoned under federal, state, or local authority. You were not covered by any employer-sponsored health insurance plan (see the instructions for line 1 on page 3). January July February August March September April October May November June December

Part II
2

Health Coverage Tax Credit

Amount paid for qualified health insurance coverage for all months checked on line 1 (see instructions on page 3). Do not include on line 2 any qualified health insurance premiums paid to "U.S. Treasury­HCTC" or any insurance premiums on coverage that was actually paid for with a National Emergency Grant. Also, do not include any advance (monthly) payments from Form 1099-H, box 1

2

CAUTION

You must attach the required documents listed on page 4 for any amounts included on line 2. If you do not attach the required documents, your credit will be disallowed.

3

Enter the total amount of any Archer MSA and health savings account distributions used to pay for qualified health insurance coverage for all months checked on line 1 Subtract line 3 from line 2. If zero or less, stop; you cannot take the credit Health coverage tax credit. Multiply line 4 by 65% (.65). Enter the result here and on Form 1040, line 68 (check box d); Form 1040NR, line 63 (check box c); Form 1040-SS, line 9; or Form 1040-PR, line 9
Cat. No. 34641D

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Form

For Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see page 4.

8885

(2008)

Form 8885 (2008)

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2

General Instructions
Section references are to the Internal Revenue Code unless otherwise noted.

Purpose of Form
Use Form 8885 to figure the amount, if any, of your health coverage tax credit (HCTC).

Who Can Take This Credit
You can take this credit only if (a) you were an eligible trade adjustment assistance (TAA) recipient, alternative TAA (ATAA) recipient, or Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) pension recipient in 2008, (b) you cannot be claimed as a dependent on someone else's 2008 tax return, and (c) you met all of the other conditions listed on line 1. If you cannot be claimed as a dependent on someone else's 2008 tax return, complete Form 8885, Part I, to see if you are eligible to take this credit.

2. Coverage under individual health insurance if you were covered under individual health insurance during the entire 30-day period ending on the date you were separated from your job that qualified you for TAA, ATAA, or PBGC pension benefits. Individual health insurance does not include any insurance connected with a group health plan or federal- or state-based health insurance coverage. 3. Coverage under a COBRA continuation provision (as defined in section 9832(d)(1)). 4. Coverage under a state-qualified health plan. State-qualified health plans include: a. Continuation coverage provided by the state under a state law that requires such coverage. b. A qualified state high risk pool (as defined in section 2744(c)(2) of the Public Health Service Act). c. A health insurance program offered for state employees. d. A state-based health insurance program that is comparable to the health insurance program offered for state employees. e. An arrangement entered into by a state and (a) a group health plan (including such a plan which is a multiemployer plan as defined in section 3(37) of ERISA), (b) an issuer of health insurance coverage, (c) an administrator, or (d) an employer. f. A state arrangement with a private sector health care coverage purchasing pool. g. A state-operated health plan that does not receive any federal financial participation. Exception. A qualified health insurance plan does not include any of the following. Any state-based coverage listed in 4a through 4g above unless it also meets the requirements of section 35(e)(2). A flexible spending or similar arrangement. Any insurance if substantially all of its coverage is of excepted benefits described in section 9832(c). For example, if you purchase dental or vision benefits separately, these benefits are not part of a qualified health insurance plan for the HCTC. But, if you purchase dental or vision benefits as part of a comprehensive package and these benefits do not represent substantially all of its coverage, these benefits may be part of a qualified health insurance plan and the premiums paid may be eligible for the HCTC. If you are not sure whether your health insurance plan is a qualified health insurance plan, go to www.irs.gov, enter HCTC: Additional Resources General in the search box and link to the HCTC Program Kit found under that heading.

Definitions and Special Rules
TAA Recipient
You were an eligible TAA recipient on the first day of the month if, for any day in that month or the prior month, you: Received a trade readjustment allowance, or Would have been entitled to receive such an allowance except that you had not exhausted all rights to any unemployment insurance (except additional compensation that is funded by a state and is not reimbursed from any federal funds) to which you were entitled (or would be entitled if you applied). Example. You received a trade readjustment allowance for January 2008. You were an eligible TAA recipient on the first day of January and February.

ATAA Recipient
You were an eligible ATAA recipient on the first day of the month if, for that month or the prior month, you received benefits under an alternative trade adjustment assistance program for older workers established by the Department of Labor. Example. You received benefits under an alternative trade adjustment assistance program for older workers for October 2008. The program was established by the Department of Labor. You were an eligible ATAA recipient on the first day of October and November.

TIP

PBGC Pension Recipient
You were an eligible PBGC pension recipient on the first day of the month, if both of the following apply. 1. You were age 55 or older on the first day of the month. 2. You received a benefit for that month that was paid by the PBGC under title IV of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). If you received a lump-sum payment from the PBGC after August 5, 2002, you meet item (2) above for any month that you would have received a PBGC benefit if you had not received the lump-sum payment.

Qualifying Family Member
A qualifying family member is: Your spouse (but see Married Persons Filing Separate Returns on page 3), or Anyone whom you can claim as a dependent (but see the exception for Children of Divorced or Separated Parents on page 3). For any month that you are eligible to claim the HCTC, you can include premiums paid for a qualifying family member for that month if all of the following statements were true as of the first day of that month.

Qualified Health Insurance Plan
A qualified health insurance plan is any of the following. 1. Coverage under a group health plan available through the employment of your spouse. But see the instructions for line 1 on page 3.

Form 8885 (2008)

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The qualifying family member was covered by a qualified health insurance plan (see page 2) for which you paid the premiums. You and your qualifying family member do not have to be covered by the same plan. The qualifying family member was not entitled to Medicare Part A or enrolled in Medicare Part B. The qualifying family member was not enrolled in Medicaid or the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). The qualifying family member was not enrolled in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) or eligible to receive benefits under the U.S. military health system (TRICARE). The qualifying family member was not covered by, or eligible for coverage under, any employer-sponsored health insurance plan (see the instructions for line 1 on this page). Married Persons Filing Separate Returns Your spouse is not treated as a qualifying family member if your filing status is married filing separately and either (1) or (2) below applies. 1. Your spouse also was an eligible TAA recipient, ATAA recipient, or PBGC pension recipient in 2008. 2. All of the following apply: a. You lived apart from your spouse during the last 6 months of 2008. b. A qualifying family member (other than your spouse) lived in your home for more than half of 2008. c. You provided over half of the cost of keeping up your home. Children of Divorced or Separated Parents Even if you cannot claim your child as a dependent, he or she is treated as your qualifying family member for the HCTC if both of the following apply. You were the child's custodial parent (the parent with whom the child lived for the greater part of 2008). The child's other parent can claim the child as a dependent under the rules for children of divorced or separated parents (see the instructions for Form 1040, line 6c, or Pub. 501, Exemptions, Standard Deduction, and Filing Information, for details). If both of the above apply, the child's other parent cannot treat the child as a qualifying family member for the HCTC. The child must also meet all of the other conditions of a qualifying family member that begin on page 2.
CAUTION

under 3, 4a, or 4e in the definition of Qualified Health Insurance Plan on page 2) where the employer would have paid 50% or more of the cost of the coverage. b. You were covered under any qualified health insurance plan (including any employer-sponsored health insurance plan of your spouse) (other than the plans listed under 3, 4a, or 4e in the definition of Qualified Health Insurance Plan on page 2) and the employer paid any part of the cost of the coverage. Any amounts contributed to the cost of coverage by you or your spouse on a pre-tax basis are considered to have been paid by the employer.

CAUTION

Check the boxes on line 1 for each month that, on the first day of the month, neither (1) nor (2) above applies and you met all of the other conditions listed on line 1. Example 1. On October 1, 2008, your only health insurance coverage was under an employer-sponsored health insurance plan. The plan is not one in which substantially all of the coverage is of excepted benefits described in section 9832(c). The employer paid 40% of the cost of the coverage. You paid 20% of the cost of the coverage through pre-tax contributions. You cannot claim the HCTC for the month of October because the employer is considered to have paid 60% of the cost of the coverage. Example 2. Assume the same facts as in Example 1 except that the employer paid only 25% of the cost of the coverage. The employer is considered to have paid 45% of the cost of the coverage (25% that was paid by the employer plus 20% that you paid through pre-tax contributions). If you were an eligible TAA recipient or PBGC pension recipient, you can claim the HCTC for the month of October if you met all the other conditions listed on line 1 on October 1, 2008. If you were an ATAA recipient, you can claim the HCTC for the month of October only if, on October 1, 2008, all of the following apply. You were not eligible for coverage under any qualified health insurance plan (including any employer-sponsored health insurance plan of your spouse) (other than the plans listed under 3, 4a, or 4e in the definition of Qualified Health Insurance Plan on page 2) where the employer would have paid 50% or more of the cost of the coverage. The plan was a type of plan listed under 3, 4a, or 4e in the definition of Qualified Health Insurance Plan on page 2. You met all of the other conditions listed on line 1.

Line 2
If your qualified health insurance plan covers anyone other than you and your qualifying family members, see Pub. 502, Medical and Dental CAUTION Expenses (Including the Health Coverage Tax Credit), before completing line 2. Enter the total amount of insurance premiums paid for coverage for you and all qualifying family members under a qualified health insurance plan (as defined on page 2) for all months checked on line 1. But do not include any qualified health insurance premiums you paid to "U. S. Treasury­HCTC" or any insurance premiums on coverage that was actually paid for with a National Emergency Grant. Also, do not include any advance (monthly) payments shown on Form 1099-H, box 1. Example 1. You checked January on line 1. You paid $225 ($200 for basic coverage and $25 for dental benefits which are purchased separately) to your insurance company for coverage in January. The $25 you paid for dental benefits is ineligible for the HCTC. You would include the $200 you paid for your basic insurance on line 2.

Specific Instructions
Line 1
Employer-sponsored health insurance plan. You cannot claim the HCTC for any month that, on the first day of the month, either (1) or (2) below apply. 1. You were covered under any employer-sponsored health insurance plan (including any employer-sponsored health insurance plan of your spouse) (except insurance substantially all of the coverage of which is of excepted benefits described in section 9832(c)) and the employer paid 50% or more of the cost of the coverage. 2. You were an ATAA recipient and either of the following applies. a. You were eligible for coverage under any qualified health insurance plan (including any employer-sponsored health insurance plan of your spouse) (other than the plans listed

Form 8885 (2008)

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Example 2. Your insurance coverage for January cost $225 ($200 for basic coverage and $25 for dental benefits ineligible for the HCTC). You paid $95 to "U.S. Treasury­HCTC" for January. The $95 equals $70 (your 35% share of the $200 eligible premium) plus the $25 for dental benefits ineligible for the HCTC. You received a Form 1099-H showing an advance payment of $130 (65% of the $200 eligible premium) for January. You would not check January on line 1, and you would include nothing for January on line 2.

A letter or other document from your former employer or your unemployment office that shows the date you left your job. A document from your health plan that shows your first date of coverage. Your first day of coverage in a non-group (individual) health plan must have been at least 30 days before you left your job. Coverage through your spouse's employer. You must include the information under All health plans on this page and the following documents. Copies of paycheck stubs showing the health coverage deductions for the qualified months. A letter or other statement from your spouse's employer that states the employer contributed less than 50% of the cost of the coverage. E-filed return. If you e-file, you must attach a copy of the required documents to Form 8453, U.S. Individual Income Tax Transmittal for an IRS e-file Return. Example 1. You are eligible to claim the HCTC for October and November. You paid $500 of qualified health insurance premiums in each month for yourself and $250 for your qualifying family members. The amount on Form 8885, line 2, is $1,500 ($750 for October and $750 for November). You did not receive any HCTC advance payments during 2008. You must attach copies of your health insurance bills and proof of payment for you and your qualifying family members totaling $1,500, along with any other required documents. The bills and proof of payment should be for October and November. Example 2. The facts are the same as in Example 1 except that, instead of paying the $750 premium for November, you paid $262.50 (35% of the $750 November premium) to "U.S. Treasury­HCTC" and received an advance payment of $487.50 (65% of the $750 November insurance premium). Form 1099-H shows the total advance payment of $487.50. You would include $750 on line 2 for the October payment. You would not include any part of the November insurance premium. You must attach a copy of your health insurance bill and proof of payment totaling $750 for October, along with any other required documents. Paperwork Reduction Act Notice. We ask for the information on this form to carry out the Internal Revenue laws of the United States. You are required to give us the information. We need it to ensure that you are complying with these laws and to allow us to figure and collect the right amount of tax. You are not required to provide the information requested on a form that is subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act unless the form displays a valid OMB control number. Books or records relating to a form or its instructions must be retained as long as their contents may become material in the administration of any Internal Revenue law. Generally, tax returns and return information are confidential, as required by section 6103. The average time and expenses required to complete and file this form will vary depending on individual circumstances. For the estimated averages, see the instructions for your income tax return. If you have suggestions for making this form simpler, we would be happy to hear from you. See the instructions for your income tax return.

Required Documents
You must provide verifiable proof that your health insurance plan is qualified and that you paid the qualified health insurance premiums by attaching the documents listed below to your Form 8885. All health plans. For all health plans you must include both of the following documents. 1. A copy of your health insurance bills or COBRA payment coupons.* The bills must have: a. Your name (or name of the policy holder), b. The name of your health plan, c. Your monthly premium amount, d. Dates of coverage, and e. Your health plan identification number(s). *If your qualified health plan does not provide members with an insurance bill or COBRA payment coupon, you must provide health plan enrollment documents or an official letter from your health plan that has the required information listed under 1a through 1e above. If your monthly premium includes amounts that do not count towards the HCTC, such as dental or vision coverage or coverage for family members who are not eligible for the HCTC, your documentation must also specify those ineligible amounts. 2. Proof of payment such as:** a. Canceled checks (copy of front and back), b. Bank statements, c. Credit card statements, or d. Money orders. **Your proof of payment must indicate the amount paid and to whom it was paid. If you do not have one of these types of proof of payment, contact your health plan for a record of your payment(s). COBRA coverage. You must include the above information under All health plans and one of the following documents. 1. A copy of your completed and signed COBRA Election Letter. It may also be called a COBRA Enrollment Form, Application Form, Enrollment Application for Continuing Coverage, or Election Agreement. 2. A letter from your former employer or COBRA administrator saying you have COBRA coverage. The letter must have: a. The COBRA coverage start and end dates, b. Name of the health plan, c. Your home address, and d. Covered family members, their dates of birth, their relationship to you, and their social security numbers. 3. A copy of "Notice of Rights to Continue Coverage." Non-group (individual) health plans. You must include the above information under All health plans and both of the following documents.