Looking Ahead

Jan. 31

Americans without typical health insurance policies have until today to complete enrollment on HealthCare.gov and avoid a tax penalty on their 2016 federal return. The standard penalty for those who don’t have medical insurance: up to $2,085 for families or 2.5 percent of household income, whichever is higher. (Members of healthcare sharing ministries are an exception—see “Obamacare sidestep” in this issue.)

Feb. 1

After months of debates and Twitter firestorms, the primary season will kick off as Iowa Republicans and Democrats gather at caucuses to cast votes for their favorite presidential candidate. In 2012, the winner of Iowa’s Republican caucus wasn’t officially determined until two weeks after voting day. Republicans hope a new smartphone app designed by Microsoft will speed this year’s calculations.

Feb. 3

Beginning today, select high-school seniors from across the country will be able to sign on with college football programs. Prior to national signing day, college football recruits can make only verbal pledges. Many of the top recruits schedule elaborate signing ceremonies to mark the occasion.

Feb. 7

Super Bowl 50 will almost certainly be the most watched televised event of 2016. And with a massive number of viewers comes record-breaking advertising rates: CBS will charge more than $5 million for a 30-second ad during the big game—up 11 percent from last year.

Feb. 9

With Iowa out of the way, voters at the New Hampshire primary today will make their mark on the 2016 political landscape. The previous two winners of the New Hampshire Republican primary, Mitt Romney in 2012 and John McCain in 2008, each went on to win the GOP nomination. In 2008, Hillary Clinton won the state’s Democratic contest despite later losing her party’s nomination to Barack Obama.