The tax man cometh to police you on health care

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Supreme Court's decision to uphold most of President Barack Obama's health care law will come home to roost for taxpayers in about 2 1/2 years. That's when most people will have to provide proof on their tax returns that they have health insurance.

That scenario is raising questions about the Internal Revenue Service's capability to both police the health care decisions of millions of Americans and also collect taxes for running the government.

Beginning in 2014, the IRS will provide tax breaks and incentives to help people and companies pay for health insurance.

But it also will levy tax penalties on people who don't buy coverage and companies that don't offer it. By 2016 those penalties for individuals and families will range from $695 to $12,500 a year.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)