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How to reconcile your premium tax credit

If you had a Marketplace plan and used advanced payments of the premium tax credit to lower your monthly payment, you’ll have to “reconcile” when you file your federal taxes. This means you’ll compare 2 figures:

The amount of premium tax credit you used in advance during the year. (This was paid directly to your health plan so your monthly payment was lower.)
The premium tax credit you actually qualify for based on your final income for the year.

Any difference between the two figures will affect your refund or tax owed.

You should get your Form 1095-A in the mail by mid-February. It may be available in your HealthCare.gov account as soon as mid-January. If you don't get it, or it's incorrect, contact the Marketplace Call Center. See how to be sure the information is correct.

Step-by-step guide to reconciling your premium tax credit

Follow these steps:

Get your Form 1095-A.
Print Form 8962 (PDF) and instructions (PDF).
Use the information from your 1095-A form to complete Part II of Form 8962, using the table below as a guide.

How to enter information from your 1095-A on Form 8962
What information do I need from my 1095-A?	Where do I find it on my 1095-A?	Where do I enter it on Form 8962?	See how
Enrollment Premiums	Part III: Column A Annual amount: line 33 Monthly amounts: lines 21 — 32	Part II: Column a Annual amount: line 11 Monthly amounts: lines 12 — 23	Quick view
Second lowest cost Silver plan (SLCSP) premium	Part III: Column B Annual amount: line 33 Monthly amounts: lines 21 — 32	Part II: Column b Annual amount: line 11 Monthly amounts: lines 12 — 23	Quick view
Advance payment of premium tax credit	Part III: Column C Annual amount: line 33 Monthly amounts: lines 21 — 32	Part II: Column f Annual amount: line 11 Monthly amounts: lines 12 — 23	Quick view

Complete all sections of Form 8962. On Line 26, you’ll find out if you used more or less premium tax credit than you qualify for based on your final 2016 income. This will affect the amount of your refund or tax due.
Include your completed Form 8962 with your 2016 federal tax return.

Get a notice telling you to file and "reconcile" 2015 taxes?

If you’re enrolled in a 2017 Marketplace plan but didn’t file and "reconcile" your 2015 taxes, you’ll get a notice saying you may lose the financial help you’re getting for your 2017 plan. You may also get “Letter 0012C” from the IRS.

If you haven’t filed your 2015 tax return — or filed a return but didn’t "reconcile" the premium tax credit for all household members — you must do so immediately.

Your notice will provide details. If you confirm that you filed your 2015 tax return, you won’t need to do anything else.