What's this Line 15 Employee Required Contribution on my 1095-C form mean? Don't have employer health insurance

So does this mean their employer met the "affordability" requirement? And do they need to do anything with this form for their taxes?

Regarding the affordability requirement, it depends on their income. Generally, employer coverage is considered "affordable" if the employee's share for self-only coverage (that Line 15 amount) is less than about 9.12% of their household income. So a lower amount on Line 15 is actually better from the affordability perspective. As for what to do with the form, you don't typically need to attach the 1095-C to your tax return, but you should keep it with your tax records. It's mainly proof that you were offered coverage. Since you're covered under your spouse's plan, you'll want to make sure you have documentation of that coverage (possibly a 1095-B or another 1095-C from your spouse's employer).

Does it actually work with all the different tax forms? I have a bunch of weird ones from multiple jobs last year.

I'm kinda skeptical of these AI tools for taxes. How do you know it's giving you accurate information? Especially with something as important as health insurance reporting?

It works with pretty much all the standard tax forms - W-2s, 1099s, 1095s, and a bunch of others. I had three W-2s last year plus a 1099-MISC and it handled all of them just fine. You just snap a pic of each form and it analyzes them individually. As for accuracy, I was skeptical too at first, but everything it told me matched what my tax preparer said later. It's not filing your taxes for you - it's just explaining what the forms mean and what you need to do with the information. I found it particularly useful for understanding these weird forms I only see once a year.

How exactly does this work? Do they just call for you or something? I don't get it.

Yeah right. No way anything gets you through to a real person at benefits or HR that fast. I call BS on this whole thing. Those departments are impossible to reach.

They use technology that navigates phone trees and waits on hold for you. When they reach a live person, they call you and connect you. It's not magic - they're just handling the frustrating waiting part so you don't have to. I was confused at first too, but it's pretty straightforward. You request a call, they navigate the phone system and wait on hold instead of you, then they call you when there's actually a human on the line. Much better than burning up your whole lunch break listening to hold music.

I see code 1E in Line 14! What does that mean exactly?

Code 1E means your employer offered you minimum essential coverage that meets the minimum value requirements, and they also offered coverage for your spouse and dependents. It's basically saying they offered you a comprehensive health plan that would have covered your whole family. But since you said you're on your spouse's plan, it makes perfect sense that you declined this coverage, even though it was offered. The form is just documenting that they met their obligation as an employer to offer suitable coverage.

Also worth noting that if you elected to contribute to an HSA or FSA, those will show up as deductions even if you declined the actual health insurance. Could that be what OP is seeing on their paystub?

Just double-checked my latest pay stub and don't see any health insurance deductions at all, pre-tax or otherwise. I do have dental and vision which I did sign up for, but no actual health insurance deductions. I guess this confirms what everyone is saying - the amount on the 1095-C is theoretical and not actually being deducted. Such a relief!