Do you have to pay a penalty?
If you learn as you do your taxes that you owe a fee for not having health insurance last year, avoid having to pay this fee next year. Find out if you are eligible to sign up for health insurance for 2015, even though open enrollment has closed. If you are - you’ll avoid bigger penalties next year, and may receive subsidies that make the insurance premiums more affordable. This special enrollment period runs from March 15 to April 30.
You may have heard there’s a big vote today regarding the future regulation of the Internet, commonly referred to as net neutrality. This explainer will help you understand what the vote is about.
Q: What is net neutrality?
A: Net neutrality, or open Internet, is the principle that Internet service providers should give consumers access to all legal content and applications on an equal basis, without favoring or blocking some sources. It also prohibits Internet service providers (ISPs) from charging content providers for speedier delivery of their content on “fast lanes” or deliberately slowing the content from content providers that may compete with ISPs.
Q: So what’s going to happen when I’m streaming House of Cards in the future?
A: In theory, the only thing that should change is that there are actual regulations on the books — or potentially laws, should Congress pass new ones — that prohibit ISPs’ discrimination of content and content providers. An ISP would be prohibited from slowing the delivery of a TV show simply because it’s streamed by a video company that competes with a subsidiary of the ISP.
That doesn’t mean everyone gets the same level of Internet service — remember, customers already pay for different speeds. And the price of broadband could rise over the years as speeds increase and technology advances. What the FCC’s rules would do is prevent an ISP from favoring content, blocking content, or other conduct that would harm consumers.
Q: Why is FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler pitching his open Internet proposal now?
A: The FCC has been recasting net neutrality rules because the previous set was tossed out by a federal court in January 2014. Since then, the agency has had no official authority to protect an open Internet.
Q: So the FCC essentially wants to treat the Internet like a public utility. Why?
A: To give it the authority to regulate it. To do so, the FCC must reclassify Internet providers as “common carriers,” private companies that sell their services to all consumers without discrimination, similar to how consumers got landline telephone service.
Q: Who supports net neutrality?
A: Content providers, Apple and Google included, support net neutrality. They say consumers are already paying for connectivity and they deserve to get a quality experience. Many consumers like the idea of net neutrality — that there are some regulations that protect the data on the Internet. More than 4 million people filed public comments to the FCC about net neutrality, more than any other issue they’ve handled. Some of those were trade associations and companies, but the majority of them were average people, supporting net neutrality.
Q: Who is not supporting net neutrality?
A: More than two-dozen broadband companies, including AT&T, Comcast, Cox and Verizon, voiced concerns that the FCC might be too heavy-handed with increased regulatory power under these proposed rules. “As it begins its rule-making process, the Commission should reaffirm its commitment to the light-touch approach that has ensured America’s leadership throughout the Internet ecosystem, from networks to services, from applications to devices,” reads a letter signed by the companies.
Separately, some members of Congress — mostly Republicans — are working on a bill to protect open Internet, but prohibit the FCC from going overboard with certain regulatory powers.
Q: How will the vote go down?
A: The FCC commissioners will vote on Wheeler’s proposal at their regular meeting on Thursday. Most observers expect the rules to be approved along party lines with two Democratic commissioners, Mignon Clyburn and Jessica Rosenworcel, joining Wheeler in voting for approval, while Republicans Ajit Pai and Michael O’Rielly vote against it. On Monday, Pai and O’Rielly joined Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, in calling for Wheeler to make the proposal public and to postpone the vote. As is its procedure, the commission reviews draft proposals in private before voting on them — public comments are accepted and hearings are held before final rules are drafted. Once passed, the regulations are published in the Federal Register. They become effective 30 days after publication.
From the Department of Interior:
Check out this gorgeous sunset pic from Assateague Island National Seashore. A 37 mile long island along the coasts of Maryland and Virginia, Assateague Island gives visitors an chance to explore sandy beaches, salt marshes, maritime forests and coastal bays. Rest, relax, recreate and enjoy some time on the edge of the continent at Assateague. Photo courtesy of Bob Ferralli.
Check out this helpful tax tip from the IRS:
Taxable or Not – What You Need to Know about Income.
