IRS loosening enforcement of ObamaCare mandate

[Ms. Toad]

6. This doesn't adress enforcement.

It is limited to permitting you to file electronically, even if you don't answer the question.

Converting paper returns to electronic format is costly - rejecting returns from people who did not check the box would result in an increase in paper returns (which are timely filed, even with errors). This move is designed to avoid creating extra work (and government expense) because there was such chaos during the filing period.

(That doesn't mean they won't try to sabotage the mandate by other means. Just that, having worked in taxes, it is clear to me that this is just an administrative accommodation to the chaos surrounding the attempt to repeal the ACA.)