No, if you're a senior citizen enrolled in Medicare in New Jersey, you won’t owe the state’s Shared Responsibility Payment (SRP) penalty—because Medicare counts as "minimum essential coverage" under New Jersey’s health insurance mandate.
Why You’re Exempt
New Jersey’s individual mandate
Since 2019, NJ requires residents to have qualifying health coverage or pay an SRP on their state tax return.
What qualifies as coverage
“Minimum essential coverage” includes Medicare Part A and most Medicare Advantage plans irs.gov.
Result for Medicare recipients
You're covered under Medicare, so you meet the requirement and won’t incur an SRP on your NJ-1040—even as a senior citizen.