For direct online access to VA benefits and resources, create an account here.

With the smell of the fast-approaching tax season now in the air, it’s pertinent to bring up something that could affect what Americans — and veterans — wind up with before or after April 17.

The Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Signed into law in 2010 to expand access to coverage and control health care costs (among other things), it’s also presented an important wrinkle: a fee when filing your taxes, if you have the ability to get affordable coverage and don’t.

Unless you qualify with an exemption.

But what does this all mean if you have VA health care coverage? Do you have to pay the fee? Are you okay? What about family members? And coverage through the Department of Defense?

All of these questions and more are answered — here.

Beyond this, these VA services are now available to veterans entirely online:

If you’re not already enrolled in VA care, you can apply online by clicking here.

Refill prescriptions, by clicking here.

Securely message members of your VA health care team (and schedule appointments), by clicking here.

Apply for education benefitspension or burial benefits.

Check the status of Post-9/11 G.I. Bill benefits by clicking here.

– The way a veteran can check the status of their claims and appeals has been streamlined, and can be found all in one place, by clicking here.