If you used the premium tax credit to lower your Marketplace plan premiums, you must file a tax return to report these payments, even if you don't usually file taxes. When you (and the tax filers on your application) file your federal income tax returns, you must "reconcile" any premium tax credits that you used during the year.
- Reconciling means comparing the amount of the premium tax credit you used with the amount of premium tax credit you actually qualify for based on your final income for the year.
- You pay any difference, or get it as a credit, when you pay your federal income taxes for the coverage year.
Responding to the "tax filer attestation" on your Marketplace application
Answer this optional question based on the year(s) that you got the premium tax credit.
- If you got the premium tax credit in the past, and your tax return included Form 8962 to reconcile those payments each year, select "Yes, prior premium tax credits were reconciled for past years."
- If you haven't filed Form 8962 for a year that you got the premium tax credit, continue with your application and don’t check the box.
How to reconcile your premium tax credit for a past year
The Marketplace sends a notice in early February—called a "Form 1095-A – Health Insurance Marketplace® Statement"—that contains information about your Marketplace coverage for the previous year. You need that form to reconcile your tax credit for that year.
If you don’t have your Form 1095-A, check your notices in your Marketplace account. Log in, select your application for the tax year, and then select "Tax Forms." If you can’t find it, contact the Marketplace Call Center.
Once you have your 1095-A, use it to complete IRS Form 8962. Complete that form and include it with your tax return.
- Learn more about Form 1095-A.
- Get IRS Form 8962 (PDF, 110 KB) and instructions (PDF, 348 KB).
If you didn't reconcile for a previous year
You may get a Marketplace letter saying our records show you used the premium tax credit in a prior year, but didn’t reconcile your premium tax credit when you filed your federal taxes.
- This letter may say that you won't qualify for the premium tax credit until you reconcile for past years.
- If you already filed a tax return but didn't reconcile, file an amended tax return for that year.
- If you submit an amended tax return by the deadline in your letter, and you qualify otherwise, you will be eligible to use the premium tax credit.
- If you got this letter even though you filed a completed Form 8962 with your tax return, contact the Marketplace Call Center to learn what to do.
After you file a tax return using Form 8962 for a past year, log in to your Marketplace account to update your application information for that year. Be sure to check the box telling us you reconciled your premium tax credit. You may qualify for the premium tax credit.
Questions about reconciling?
- Learn more about how to reconcile from HealthCare.gov.
- To contact the IRS, or if you have questions about your household’s tax filing status for a previous year, use their Interactive Tax Assistant or call IRS Telephone Assistance for Individuals at 800-829-1040. You can also visit IRS.gov and conduct a search.
- For questions about your premium tax credit, contact the Marketplace Call Center.