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WASHINGTON Millions of Americans may qualify for waivers from the most unpopular part of President Barack Obamas health care overhaul. But getting that exemption could be an ordeal.

Community groups are concerned about a convoluted process for waivers from the laws tax penalty on people who remain uninsured. Not everyone is complaining, however: Tax preparation companies are flagging it as a business opportunity.

The laws requirement that Americans carry health insurance remains contentious. Waivers were designed to ease the impact.

But while some exemptions seem simple, others will require math calculations.

Some involve sending in the application by mail and supporting documents, such as copies of medical bills, police reports, obituaries, utility shut-off notices even news articles. Consumers will have to dig up the documentation its not like filing the W-2s they get from employers.

Two federal agencies have roles, each with its own waivers and time schedules. Some people will apply directly to the Internal Revenue Service when they file their 2014 tax returns next year. Theyll use a new Form 8965.

Others can start now and seek an exemption through HealthCare.gov. If its approved, theyll get a number to put on their IRS form later on.

It will all come to a head this tax-filing season.

Hailed by Democrats as the fulfillment of historical aspirations for covering all Americans, the Affordable Care Act has turned out to have multiple issues. The debut of online insurance markets last fall became an embarrassment for the White House. It took two months to get the website working reasonably well.

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Getting health care law tax penalty waiver a real chore