Hello you lovely yinzers! I am getting my health insurance thru pennie as a part-time-employed new resident. I’m looking for tax help especially with unexpected income variations and how that might impact my financial situation. If you have lived through this or can recommend a firm or financial person, I would be so grateful! I’m based in Squirrel Hill and travel west and north regularly, if that helps. Also, is there a website that explains local and municipal tax obligations? 🫤

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Elouiseotter t1_iudj01j wrote on October 30, 2022 at 2:47 PM

Hey, since you mentioned part time work, definitely look into UPMC financial assistance before signing up for Pennie. You might qualify, especially if you are a single person household.

“If a patient's income is at or below 30 percent of the federal poverty guidelines:

The patient is eligible for 100 percent financial assistance. The fees for UPMC services are completely waived. If a patient's income is between 301 and 400 percent of the federal poverty guidelines and they are uninsured:

The patient responsibility will be reduced to the current amount generally billed (AGB)”

Quick reference: 300% of the federal poverty guidelines for a single person is an income of $40,770 a year.

400% of the federal poverty guidelines for a single person is an income of $51,520 a year.

noonelistens777 OP t1_iudjzbq wrote on October 30, 2022 at 2:54 PM

Thank you for this.

Elouiseotter t1_iui5z4n wrote on October 31, 2022 at 2:53 PM

You’re welcome!

quietly_amused t1_iueh29i wrote on October 30, 2022 at 6:38 PM

I’m an accountant and prepare taxes for for several businesses and individuals. I also have first hand experience using Pennie both personally and for my clients. I would be happy to discuss your situation, if you’d like.

Regarding your local tax obligations, you can go here to get your withholding rates based on your home address and work address. Once you enter your home address and work address, the information listed under “Total Taxes to be Withheld” is what your tax obligation is.

noonelistens777 OP t1_iueh9qh wrote on October 30, 2022 at 6:40 PM

Thanks so much! I will reach out.

chuckie512 t1_iud550m wrote on October 30, 2022 at 12:55 PM

The local tax here is pretty simple. It's a flat %. You'll get a letter in the mail with all the instructions art the start of the year, and can fill it out with just your W2 and phone calculator.

Since it's so simple, it's pretty uncommon for your with to withhold the wrong amount as well, so you probably won't owe/get back anything.

noonelistens777 OP t1_iudxpx8 wrote on October 30, 2022 at 4:31 PM

Thanks for this. I actually moved about a year ago and never got anything from the City of Pittsburgh. I worked with a firm to pay state and local, however. This year I’m trying to figure out how much the penalty would be for underestimating (not deliberately) my income as it is computed for health insurance premiums. Thanks for your input 😊