If you purchased health insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace, you’ll likely receive Form 1095-A, a crucial document for filing your federal tax return. This form provides details about your coverage and any premium tax credits you received. Understanding how to use Form 1095-A can help you avoid tax filing errors and ensure you get the refund—or avoid the penalty—you deserve.
In this guide, we’ll break down what this form is, who receives it, how to use it when filing taxes, and what to do if there are errors.
What Is IRS Form 1095-A?
Form 1095-A: Health Insurance Marketplace Statement is a tax form sent by the Marketplace (Healthcare.gov or your state exchange) to individuals who enrolled in a qualified health plan. It reports:
- The months you had Marketplace coverage
- The amount of your monthly premiums
- Any advance premium tax credits (APTC) paid on your behalf
- The second lowest cost Silver plan (SLCSP) used to calculate your premium tax credit
This form is essential for completing Form 8962, which reconciles the premium tax credit on your tax return.
Who Receives This Form?
You’ll receive this form if:
- You or a family member enrolled in a health plan through the Marketplace
- You received advance premium tax credits to lower your monthly premiums
- You need to reconcile those credits when filing your taxes
If you had employer-sponsored insurance, Medicaid, or Medicare, you’ll receive a different form (1095-B or 1095-C), or possibly none at all.
When and How Do You Get Form 1095-A?
The Marketplace typically sends this form by mid-January. You can receive it:
- By mail to the address on file
- Electronically through your Marketplace account
If you haven’t received it by early February, log in to your Marketplace account or contact customer service.
How This Form Affects Your Tax Return
You’ll use the information on this form to complete Form 8962: Premium Tax Credit. Here’s how:
- Check the form for accuracy: Ensure your name, coverage months, and premium amounts are correct.
- Fill out Form 8962: Use the data from Form 1095-A to calculate your actual premium tax credit.
- Reconcile APTC: If you received more credit than you were eligible for, you may owe money. If you received less, you could get a refund.
- Attach Form 8962 to your tax return**: This is required if you received APTC.
Failing to file Form 8962 when required can delay your refund or affect your eligibility for future subsidies.
Common Errors and How to Fix Them
Mistakes on Form 1095-A can lead to incorrect tax filings. Common issues include:
- Incorrect coverage months
- Wrong premium amounts
- Missing or incorrect SSNs
- Incorrect SLCSP values in Part III, Column B
If you spot an error:
- Contact the Marketplace immediately
- Request a corrected Form 1095-A
- Wait to file your taxes until you receive the corrected form
What If You Didn’t Receive Form 1095-A?
If you think you should have received Form 1095-A but didn’t:
- Log in to your Marketplace account and download it
- Call the Marketplace to request a copy
- Check if you had Marketplace coverage—you won’t get the form if you didn’t
You cannot complete Form 8962 or file your return properly without this form if you received APTC.
Pro Tips for Filing with Form 1095-A
- Don’t ignore it: Even if you didn’t receive advance credits, you still need to file Form 8962 if you had Marketplace coverage.
- Use tax software: Most tax software will guide you through entering Form 1095-A and completing Form 8962.
- Keep a copy: Save a digital and paper copy of your Form 1095-A with your tax records.
- Watch for IRS letters: If you file without reconciling APTC, the IRS may delay your refund or request additional information.
Sample Breakdown of Form 1095-A
| Part | Description | What to Check |
| I | Personal and policy info | Names, SSNs, policy number |
| II | Coverage household | Everyone covered under the plan |
| III | Monthly coverage details | Premiums, APTC, SLCSP |
Final Thoughts
Form 1095-A is more than just another tax document—it’s the key to accurately reporting your health insurance coverage and reconciling your premium tax credit. Whether you’re filing on your own or using a tax professional, make sure you understand how to use this form to avoid delays, penalties, or missed refunds.
Need help with Form 8962 or reconciling your premium tax credit? Consider using trusted tax software or consulting a tax professional to ensure everything is filed correctly.