Get Health Care Reporting Help from TurboTax #TurboTaxACA #PMedia #ad

This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and TurboTax, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #TurboTaxACA http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV

Tax season is here and with it comes varying degrees of emotion. For some, it's overwhelming and scary---for others, it's a long-awaited windfall of returns with which they'll catch up bills and buy new appliances. (Jamie had my new washing machine delivered yesterday. Yay!) No matter how you're feeling about this tax season, something we all have in common is the new requirements regarding health care for 2014. The Affordable Care Act requires everyone to either have health insurance or pay a penalty on their taxes, so TurboTax is making it simple for users to understand the laws and comply with them---no matter where you're at with your health care.  In addition, through February 16th you can file both Federal and State returns for free if you have a simple return (1040A/EZ). 

Almost half of all Americans don't realize they have to report their health care status on their taxes this year. What's more---many of them don't understand the new health care laws at all. I've spent a little time this week on the TurboTaxHealth site and really feel like I've got a pretty good grasp on the requirements for insured and uninsured filers. I like how it helps users understand the new laws and how they affect their taxes. Let me know if this info is helpful to you!

TurboTax offers help to those who are insured, uninsured, or have opted for marketplace insurance. If you're like me and are insured through an employer, all you have to do is check a box and you're done as far as the insurance part of your taxes is concerned. You can check out a short tutorial video to see these steps in action.

Maybe you've chosen not to purchase insurance---that doesn't necessarily mean you'll be given a penalty. About half of all uninsured Americans qualify for an exemption and TurboTax will help you find out if you're one of them. If not, they'll make sure you're paying what you need to with very clear, step-by-step instructions. Just click "I don't have health insurance" and they'll walk you through it. See this tutorial video for details on filing uninsured.

Marketplace Insured Filers will click on "I have my own insurance." A screen will pop up stating that you meet the requirements, and there will also be a link to find out more about the marketplace, how to enroll, and how to meet the qualifications for a special enrollment period, if you're looking for more information on that. If you'd like to see these steps on video, visit this tutorial.

If you are interested in purchasing insurance for your family through a state or Federal marketplace, the next few days are really important. Open enrollment ends on Sunday, February 15th. That will be the last day you can purchase insurance to avoid a penalty on your 2015 taxes. If this concerns you, make sure to check out TurboTaxHealth to find out more about your taxes and health insurance, and to see if you qualify for a penalty exemption. Remember, you can file for free at TurboTax.com now through February 16th if you have a simple return. (1040A/EZ).

Don't let the new health care law intimidate you. TurboTax is still as easy to use as ever and can help you with all of your questions and calculations. Have you used TurboTax in the past? I'd love to hear about your experiences.

A Spring Swap and A New Button

Welcome to the {Not Just} Homemaking Party! 

 

I'd like to invite everyone to the Spring Spoolie Swap. I did this last year with great participation and am excited to offer it again this year! Please don't be intimidated if you've never made a spoolie before. It's super simple. Just grab a wooden spool and embellish it in your own creative way! Head over to the Spring Spoolie Swap 2015 post for information and inspiration.

Hope everyone is having a great week! All's well in the Coller house as we've been doing a little (pre)Spring cleaning and organizing. All my Christmas is finally put away and my pink pretties are back on display. Maybe I'll do a home tour update here in the future. Actually, maybe we should make a blog hop out of it? What do you all think? Let me know in the comments below and have a blessed week!

Cinnamon Rolls for Valentine's Day

This post was compensated by Wilton Armetale. All opinions are honest and are my own.

It's almost Valentine's Day and we're all thinking of sweet things to do for the ones we love.  Something special I do for my family on holidays is make homemade cinnamon rolls for breakfast. With nine sweet voices to cheer whenever they discover what I've made, it's rewarding for me, too! This year, I'll make our rolls in this pretty Flutes & Pearls Heart Dish I got from Wilton Armetale. Do you want one too? Make sure to check out the giveaway at the end of this post to enter to win one.

I love this pan because it's heavy and sturdy---but still very pretty. It looks gorgeous next to my hobnail plate. Don't you think so? I love the shiny finish on the pan, and I really love that cooking won't damage it. What will damage it, though, is the harsh chemicals and hard water of the dishwasher, so this one is hand wash only.

This line of cooking and serving dishes is made from a food-safe metal alloy that was originally designed for the heavy demands of restaurant use. Because the dishes can withstand temps of up to 1000º, they're great for the oven, stove, or grill and they retain heat nicely to keep your food hot longer than others.

They're also great for cold dishes. Just chill your potato salad or dessert in the pan and serve at your summer BBQ. The heart pan would be cute for serving a Valentine's Day dip, too. 

Let me know if you try out my recipe and be sure to check out the whole line of servingware from Wilton Armetale.

Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

1 c. warm milk

2 eggs (room temperature)

1/3 c. melted butter

4 1/2 c. flour

1 tsp. salt

1/2 c. sugar

2 1/2 tsp. yeast

Place items in bread machine in order listed and run on the dough cycle. Alternately, you can mix the milk and yeast together. Then add eggs and melted butter. Mix dry ingredients together and mix with a dough hook until the dough is gummy. Place in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap sprayed with oil and then a towel. Let rise one hour or until doubled in size.

When dough has risen, roll out dough in a large rectangle and spread filling evenly over dough.

filling

1 c. brown sugar

2 Tbs. + 1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/3 c. softened butter

Roll up into a long "snake" and slice off rolls to desired thickness.  Place in well-buttered baking pan. Cover pan tightly with plastic wrap and allow rolls to rise for 30 min.  Remove wrap and bake on 375º for 12-15 minutes.  Mix frosting ingredients with an electric mixer until well blended and fluffy.  Before serving, cover rolls with frosting or melt frosting to drizzle over as icing.

frosting/icing

(alternately, check out my post on creme drops and use half the filling recipe for frosting these rolls. That way, you'll have a dessert for later, too!)

6 oz. softened cream cheese

1/2 c. softened butter

3 c. powdered sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

1/4 tsp. salt

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