what will happen if i refuse to buy health insurance or to pay the fine?

IRS has several thousand people who specialize in that kind of problem.

The IRS will take money out of your paycheck or take your car or put a lien on your house or put a lien on your bank accounts--their usual methods.

Edit--I suggest you either buy health insurance or pay the fine promptly when it is due.

@sandplant16--I owe the Feds every single year so how could that work if I decided not to have health insurance? I of course have insurance but what kind of penalty would exist only based on nonexistent refunds?

A trip to the pokey might be in your future. Isn't that great, now to be a US citizen and keep your freedom you have to purchase a product from a private corporation.

Frank doesn't seem to think you will go to jail for not paying the IRS what they think is owed.

Same thing that happens with the IRS and any unpaid tax or penalty: they take it out of your refund. If your refund doesn't cover it, they notify your employer in increase the withholding.

If this sends you into histrionics about how you can go to jail because of Obama, you need an education and a clue.

Contrary to some observations here, the ACA penalty does not have the power to enforce the penalty beyond deducting your penalty from any refund you may be entitled to from your normal tax form. If you insist on being a freeloader, you can skate by if you can arrange to have no refund from your 1040 form.

But you would not do that if you are a responsible person.

The obamacare bill proscribes jail or prison time for those who refuse to pay.

The IRS will fine you 5,000 dollars and audit you into a financial coma...

The IRS will garnish your wages/salary. Apparently, some people on Y!A think everybody overpays their taxes throughout the year.

The same thing that happens if you do not pay your income taxes.

The IRS is in control of the hellth insurance debacle.