Benicia enrolled agents help plan free sessions on Affordable Care Act

A series of workshops in Solano and Napa counties this month, including one in Benicia, will provide answers to question about the Affordable Care Act and how it can affect filing of the 2014 personal income tax return.

ATS Tax and Financial Solutions, a Benicia company and members of the California Society of Enrolled Agents’ Solano-Napa Chapter, has begun organizing the workshops, said Anne Arms, an enrolled agent who works at ATS.

“Everyone seems so confused about ACA,” Arms said. This applies only to the federal return filed with the Internal Revenue Service, she said.

“The Franchise Tax Board is not involved,” she said of the agency that governs California’s state income tax. “There will be questions on the tax return.”

For some who obtained insurance for the entire year in 2014, the answer will be as easy as checking a box, Arms said.

But for others, particularly those who had gaps in their coverage, the answer becomes more complex, involving additional forms, she said.

Some will be able to request exceptions, such as if the gap is caused by unemployment or job changes or certain other reasons. Others, however, will face a penalty for letting the insurance slide.

Particularly vulnerable are self-employed individuals who did not purchase insurance, either through Covered California or through private sources.

Since Arms and other local agents saw that their own clients were confused, they realized others could have questions as well, and decided to push for the workshops.

Sylvia Barata, who also works at ATS, organized the series, Arms said.

Benicia’s workshop will take place at 7 p.m. Jan. 15 in Benicia Public Library, 150 East L St.

Seating is limited to 50, and registration is requested. Those interested may call either Arms or Barata at 707-745-1040 to register.

An earlier workshop will take place at 6 p.m. Monday at Vallejo Community Center, 225 Amador St., Vallejo. Those interested in attending that session may register with Gloria Kulik, an enrolled agent, at 707-557-3766.

Another workshop, at 6 p.m. Jan. 14, will take place at Fairfield Inn and Suites, 3800 Broadway St., American Canyon. Those wanting to register for that session may call Certified Tax Education Council preparer Donna Henderson at 707-552-7461.

Two workshops also are scheduled in Napa, at the Napa Valley Lutheran Church, 1796 Elm St., at the corner of Elm and Jefferson streets, at 3 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Jan. 21. Enrolled agent Don Wulf, 707-252-0442, is handling registration.

Fairfield’s workshop will be at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 22 at the Fairfield Marriott, 1350 Holiday Lane. Those wanting to register may call enrolled agent Jerry Pusateri.

The Vacaville workshop, with enrolled agent Teri Johnson handling registration at 707-452-0618, will be at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 29 at the Vacaville Town Square Library, 1 Town Square Place.