# Help me understand the tax credit section of the GOP health plan

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-the-tax-credit-section-of-the-gop-health-plan/509712>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [September 11, 2009, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-the-tax-credit-section-of-the-gop-health-plan/509712 "2009-09-11T18:33:46Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![luvrbcs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@luvrbcs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/luvrbcs)\
**Post date:** [September 11, 2009, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-the-tax-credit-section-of-the-gop-health-plan/509712/1 "2009-09-11T18:33:46Z")

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I found a copy of the GOP health plan. Here it is: [http://rsc.tomprice.house.gov/UploadedFiles/Section\_by\_Section\_EPFA\_Final.pdf](http://rsc.tomprice.house.gov/UploadedFiles/Section_by_Section_EPFA_Final.pdf)

Sorry, but I don’t fully understand the part about the tax credits. Are the credits to be used to offset existing plan costs (from say, work)? Purchase new plans? I’m confused. What if I don’t file a tax return? I do, but I am thinking of others.

Can someone help explain this?

Thanks.

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**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\
**Post date:** [September 11, 2009, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-the-tax-credit-section-of-the-gop-health-plan/509712/2 "2009-09-11T19:09:31Z")

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It looks like if you meet the income requirements, you’ll get a tax credit each year to buy health insurance. It only applies if you don’t have other insurance.

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**Author:** ![luvrbcs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@luvrbcs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/luvrbcs)\
**Post date:** [September 11, 2009, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-the-tax-credit-section-of-the-gop-health-plan/509712/3 "2009-09-11T19:35:08Z")

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Found another summery: [http://rsc.tomprice.house.gov/UploadedFiles/RSC\_EPFA\_Three-Page\_Summary--FINAL.pdf](http://rsc.tomprice.house.gov/UploadedFiles/RSC_EPFA_Three-Page_Summary--FINAL.pdf)

Looks like you are right, it is to buy health insurance.

$5000 a year for a family does not seem like a lot to buy insurance with.

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**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\
**Post date:** [September 11, 2009, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-the-tax-credit-section-of-the-gop-health-plan/509712/4 "2009-09-11T22:00:30Z")

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It’s a refundable credit. Unless their terminology is off, that means that you get it even if you don’t owe any money. So individuals who are eligible could file a tax return (showing zero tax owed) in order to get the credit.