Published: Friday, February 20, 2015 at 2:18 p.m. Last Modified: Friday, February 20, 2015 at 2:18 p.m.

Floridians facing a tax penalty for going without health insurance in 2015 got a reprieve on Friday, when federal officials announced an enrollment extension through the end of April.

The extension, for those who missed a Feb. 15 deadline for 2015 coverage, is intended to help consumers who were either unaware or did not understand the implications of the fee for not enrolling. Consumers who remain uninsured in 2015 will have to pay at least $325 per adult, or 2 percent of their 2015 income.

Florida is one of the 37 states that uses a federal exchange, so residents will be able to take advantage of the extension, which begins March 15 and runs until 11:59 p.m. on April 30.

Fees will be assessed for 2015 on federal tax returns next year.

We recognize that this is the first tax filing season where consumers may have to pay a fee or claim an exemption for not having health insurance coverage, said Marilyn Tavenner, the administer of the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, in a statement.

Our priority is to make sure consumers understand the new requirement to enroll in health coverage and to provide those who were not aware or did not understand the requirement with an opportunity to enroll in affordable coverage this year.

To date this year, 44,072 people in the North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton area have signed up for insurance coverage on the federal health exchange, according to federal data.

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Health care enrollment deadline is extended again