# Ask the Guy who successfully enrolled in Obamacare on the healthcare.gov website **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 5, 2013, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-successfully-enrolled-in-obamacare-on-the-healthcare-gov-website/673183 "2013-11-05T21:49:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Absolute](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b2d939/32.png) [@Absolute](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Absolute)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-successfully-enrolled-in-obamacare-on-the-healthcare-gov-website/673183/41 "2013-11-06T02:50:55Z")
Let me just clarify: in general, I like Obamacare. I think it’s absolutely _great_ for the economy and business, because it will free people from worrying about their healthcare coverage when thinking about switching jobs or joining a small, risky startup that doesn’t offer any (like mine!) I was just surprised and annoyed at the amount of subsidy apparently being provided to people like **Fear Itself** , since it is enabling him to purchase a far superior plan at a much lower cost than what I will be paying myself. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-successfully-enrolled-in-obamacare-on-the-healthcare-gov-website/673183/42 "2013-11-06T03:05:34Z")
> [@Absolute](#): > > Especially because you cannot deduct business expenses when determining eligibility for the subsidy. Are you sure about that? That doesn’t make any sense to me. What exactly are the eligibility requirements? I would have assumed they’re based off income, not gross receipts. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-successfully-enrolled-in-obamacare-on-the-healthcare-gov-website/673183/43 "2013-11-06T03:27:57Z")
> [@Absolute](#): > > I didn’t say I have no money. I’m making a little over $50k gross, which is too much to qualify for a subsidy, but not enough to pay for the sort of expensive, comprehensive, low-deductible plan that **Fear Itself** is gloating about being gifted. Especially because you cannot deduct business expenses when determining eligibility for the subsidy. You’ve been misinformed. For purposes of determining eligibility for subsidies, calculate the [Modified Adjusted Gross Income](http://laborcenter.berkeley.edu/healthcare/MAGI_summary13.pdf). > [@](#): > > Include: > • Wages, salaries, tips, etc. > • Taxable interest > • Taxable amount of pension, annuity or IRA > distributions and Social Security benefits4 > • **Business income** , farm income, capital gain, > other gains (or loss) > • Unemployment compensation > • Ordinary dividends > • Alimony received > • Rental real estate, royalties, partnerships, > S corporations, trusts, etc. > • Taxable refunds, credits, or offsets of state > and local income taxes > • Other income Business income, line 12 on Form 1040a, is gross business receipts minus business expenses (line 31 from Schedule C). You should look into this, as your MAGI is probably much lower than you think. ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-successfully-enrolled-in-obamacare-on-the-healthcare-gov-website/673183/44 "2013-11-06T03:34:11Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > You should look into this, as your MAGI is probably much lower than you think. You too can be a moocher, **Absolute**! ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-successfully-enrolled-in-obamacare-on-the-healthcare-gov-website/673183/45 "2013-11-06T03:37:53Z")
Yeah, that makes a lot more sense. Gross business receipts doesn’t even show up on your 1040, but rather Schedule C. The biggest income number on your 1040–total income–is your income after business deductions. It really wouldn’t make sense any other way. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-successfully-enrolled-in-obamacare-on-the-healthcare-gov-website/673183/46 "2013-11-06T03:41:27Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > You too can be a moocher, **Absolute**! Who prepares your taxes, **Terr**? Do you tell him to disregard all your eligible deductions and tax credits? ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-successfully-enrolled-in-obamacare-on-the-healthcare-gov-website/673183/47 "2013-11-06T03:45:45Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Who prepares your taxes, **Terr**? Do you tell him to disregard all your eligible deductions and tax credits? Of course not. But a $10K “tax credit” (aka handout) would definitely make me a moocher. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-successfully-enrolled-in-obamacare-on-the-healthcare-gov-website/673183/48 "2013-11-06T03:49:34Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > You too can be a moocher, **Absolute**! Yes of course, one’s health and well being should be totally dependent on how fat one’s wallet is. Stupid moochers, thinking they have a right to life. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Absolute](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b2d939/32.png) [@Absolute](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Absolute)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-successfully-enrolled-in-obamacare-on-the-healthcare-gov-website/673183/49 "2013-11-06T04:11:03Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > You’ve been misinformed. For purposes of determining eligibility for subsidies, calculate the [Modified Adjusted Gross Income](http://laborcenter.berkeley.edu/healthcare/MAGI_summary13.pdf). Business income, line 12 on Form 1040a, is gross business receipts minus business expenses (line 31 from Schedule C). > > You should look into this, as your MAGI is probably much lower than you think. In all seriousness, thank you for pointing this out, I suppose it may be useful for me to actually find a real accountant this year. But, the subsidies still seem overly generous to me, regardless of whether I will be able to feed at the trough myself. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-successfully-enrolled-in-obamacare-on-the-healthcare-gov-website/673183/50 "2013-11-06T04:20:57Z")
> [@Absolute](#): > > In all seriousness, thank you for pointing this out, I suppose it may be useful for me to actually find a real accountant this year. [slight hijack]If you’re starting your own business, it’s not a bad idea, but at least be sure to educate yourself about SEP-IRAs and HSAs so you know what tax advantaged accounts you can take advantage of as a sole-proprietor/business owner. [/sh] ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-successfully-enrolled-in-obamacare-on-the-healthcare-gov-website/673183/51 "2013-11-06T05:21:56Z")
You have to pay that monthly premium each month, thought right? And you get your tax credit at the end of the year? Or is it factored automatically and the NET amount owed is what you pay? ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-successfully-enrolled-in-obamacare-on-the-healthcare-gov-website/673183/52 "2013-11-06T05:34:11Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > Of course not. But a $10K “tax credit” (aka handout) would definitely make me a moocher. You’re acting a little shrill because it’s working. This is what happens when you’re strongly invested in a fantasy ideology. ---
**Author:** ![Blackberry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecd19e/32.png) [@Blackberry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackberry)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-successfully-enrolled-in-obamacare-on-the-healthcare-gov-website/673183/53 "2013-11-06T05:35:49Z")
> [@Bear\_Nenno](#): > > You have to pay that monthly premium each month, thought right? And you get your tax credit at the end of the year? Or is it factored automatically and the NET amount owed is what you pay? The credit is factored in. No way it would work otherwise. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-successfully-enrolled-in-obamacare-on-the-healthcare-gov-website/673183/54 "2013-11-06T05:51:01Z")
> [@Bear\_Nenno](#): > > You have to pay that monthly premium each month, thought right? And you get your tax credit at the end of the year? Or is it factored automatically and the NET amount owed is what you pay? You can choose either way, but realistically most people are going to have the credit paid out to the insurer in advance. It’s reconciled when you do your taxes the next year, sort of like it’s reverse withholding. ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-successfully-enrolled-in-obamacare-on-the-healthcare-gov-website/673183/55 "2013-11-06T06:22:47Z")
What is the requirement to get the credit? So can I assume the majority of the FoxNews “He has to pay $800 per month for his ObamaCare” stories are leaving out the tax credit? ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-successfully-enrolled-in-obamacare-on-the-healthcare-gov-website/673183/56 "2013-11-06T13:40:57Z")
> [@Bear\_Nenno](#): > > What is the requirement to get the credit? So can I assume the majority of the FoxNews “He has to pay $800 per month for his ObamaCare” stories are leaving out the tax credit? [Everything you need to know about qualifying for the tax credit:](http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/DC-Decoder/2013/1001/Obamacare-101-how-the-federal-subsidy-works-video) > [@](#): > > If your income falls between 100 percent and 400 percent of the federal poverty level, you will receive a tax credit that can be applied immediately toward your health insurance premium. The tax credit is available only by buying insurance via a government-run marketplace. > > … > > Four times the poverty level amounts to $45,960 for an individual and $94,200 for a family of four. One’s “modified adjusted gross income” (MAGI) is the benchmark; that includes wages, salaries, tips, capital gains, and other income, minus contributions to flexible spending accounts and retirement plans, and certain deductions. [How to calculate your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI).](http://laborcenter.berkeley.edu/healthcare/MAGI_summary13.pdf) ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-successfully-enrolled-in-obamacare-on-the-healthcare-gov-website/673183/57 "2013-11-06T14:31:34Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > You too can be a moocher, **Absolute**! Terr, quit calling people names. ---
**Author:** ![Rollo\_Tomasi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/58956e/32.png) [@Rollo\_Tomasi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rollo_Tomasi)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-successfully-enrolled-in-obamacare-on-the-healthcare-gov-website/673183/58 "2013-11-06T14:42:22Z")
**Fear Itself** , did you run into any trouble with identity verification? That’s what’s been holding up my application, I think. ---
**Author:** ![elninost0rm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ed655f/32.png) [@elninost0rm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elninost0rm)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-successfully-enrolled-in-obamacare-on-the-healthcare-gov-website/673183/59 "2013-11-06T14:48:26Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > The enormous ($10K or so) handout you’re mooching from the government. I envision you quivering with rage while having to type this. It makes it all that much sweeter to read, true or not. ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-successfully-enrolled-in-obamacare-on-the-healthcare-gov-website/673183/60 "2013-11-06T14:49:20Z")
> [@Ellen\_Cherry](#): > > Terr, quit calling people names. I am sorry, would “recipient of other people’s largess” be better? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-successfully-enrolled-in-obamacare-on-the-healthcare-gov-website/673183.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-successfully-enrolled-in-obamacare-on-the-healthcare-gov-website/673183.md?page=4)