Can it really be true that we don’t have to pay the penalty. I am one of those individuals just above the threshold. I can withhold less so that the IRS can not keep the money. And I understand that they cannot seize assets. But, someone said that they could still sue me. Is that the case?
To get the bill passed, congress added a provision that bars the IRS from using any collection mechanisms to collect the tax. They can not garnish your wages, seize your assets, take you to court or put a lien on your property. The only thing they can do is withhold any tax refunds you may be due now or in the future and send you bills and nasty letters. (of course with that being said, the law could change at any time in the future and I wouldn't want to owe 20 years of back health care fines when a future congress decides to let the IRS use all the powers at it's disposal to collect them.)