(a) Each applicable individual who files or is required to file an individual income tax return as a resident of Vermont, either separately or jointly with a spouse, shall indicate on the return, in a manner prescribed by the Commissioner of Taxes, whether the individual had minimum essential coverage in effect for each of the 12 months of the taxable year for which the return is filed as required by section 10452 of this chapter, whether covered as an individual or as a named beneficiary of a policy covering multiple individuals.

(b) An applicable individual who indicates on a Vermont income tax return that the individual had minimum essential coverage shall provide to the Department of Taxes, upon the Department's request, a copy of the statement of coverage furnished to the individual pursuant to 26 U.S.C. § 6055 by the provider of the individual's minimum essential coverage.

(c) In the event that the requirement for providers of minimum essential coverage to furnish a statement of coverage to individuals pursuant to 26 U.S.C. § 6055 is suspended or eliminated for any taxable year, the Department of Vermont Health Access and each employer, health insurance carrier, and other entity providing minimum essential coverage to residents of this State shall submit a return to the Department of Taxes including the same information as had been provided to the Internal Revenue Service pursuant to 26 U.S.C. § 6055 at such time and in such form as the Commissioner of Taxes shall require. (Added 2019, No. 63, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2020.)