So, when the A.C.A. fines kick in...

[frazzled]

113. You will owe no fine, but even if you did ...

It would be only 1% of your income (so, $100) or $95 for the year, whichever is higher.*

But you won't owe because, according to the IRS guidelines on the fee (called the "shared responsibility provision&quot :

. What are the statutory exemptions from the requirement to obtain minimum essential coverage?

Income below the income tax return filing requirement. Your income is below the minimum threshold for filing a tax return. The requirement to file a federal tax return depends on your filing status, age and types and amounts of income. To find out if you are required to file a federal tax return, use the IRS Interactive Tax Assistant (ITA)

...

Affordability. You can’t afford coverage because the minimum amount you must pay for the premiums is more than eight percent of your household income.

http://www.irs.gov/uac/Questions-and-Answers-on-the-Individual-Shared-Responsibility-Provision

* See https://www.healthcare.gov/what-if-someone-doesnt-have-health-coverage-in-2014/

The penalty in 2014 is calculated one of 2 ways. You’ll pay whichever of these amounts is higher:

1% of your yearly household income. The maximum penalty is the national average yearly premium for a bronze plan.

$95 per person for the year ($47.50 per child under 18). The maximum penalty per family using this method is $285.

The fee increases every year. In 2015 it’s 2% of income or $325 per person. In 2016 and later years it’s 2.5% of income or $695 per person. After that it is adjusted for inflation.

If you’re uninsured for just part of the year, 1/12 of the yearly penalty applies to each month you’re uninsured. If you’re uninsured for less than 3 months, you don’t have to make a payment.