Do I have to pay back Obamacare subsidies?

Asked by: Emmet Rempel  |  Last update: April 23, 2025
Score: 4.5/5 (59 votes)

If at the end of the year you've taken more premium tax credit in advance than you're due based on your final income, you'll have to pay back the excess when you file your federal tax return. If you've taken less than you qualify for, you'll get the difference back.

Do you have to pay Obamacare back?

If your income is more than what you told us on your application, you may have to repay some or all of the advanced premium tax credits that you got. There are limits to the amount you may need to repay, depending on your income and if you file taxes as “Single” or another filing status.

Do you have to pay back the subsidy?

If you increased your income within the tax year, you may have received a larger credit than what you should have. In this case, you need to pay back a portion or all of the money you received from the government. If you earned less income than estimated, you may be entitled to a higher tax subsidy.

Does a subsidy need to be paid back?

By receiving additional federal subsidies, many taxpayers no longer qualify for the state subsidy they received and therefore must pay this amount back with their tax return.

How do healthcare.gov subsidies work?

Subsidy description

Individuals with household incomes up to 250% of the federal poverty level (FPL) are eligible for CSRs that eliminate deductibles and reduce other out-of-pocket costs. For 2025, all Covered California enrollees will qualify for at least the Enhanced Silver 73 health plan5.

How to AVOID Health Insurance Subsidy Repayment (2024)

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How can I avoid paying back my premium tax credit?

Report any changes in your income during the year to the Marketplace, so your credit can be adjusted and you can avoid any significant repayments at the end of the year.

Do you have to pay back subsidized?

You'll repay the original amount that you borrowed and the interest that starts to accrue (grow) from that moment. Subsidized loans are only available to undergraduates, and there's usually a lower loan limit than with an unsubsidized one.

What is the penalty for underestimating income in Obamacare 2024?

For the 2024 tax year, if you underestimated your income and received a larger tax credit than you were eligible for, you must repay the difference between the amount of premium tax credit you received and the amount you were eligible for.

How to avoid subsidy recapture?

– If a borrower pays their loan in full and continues to occupy the property, subsidy recapture can be deferred until they move or transfer the property title to someone else.

What happens if my income decreases while on Obamacare?

If your income goes down or your household size goes up during the year, you may be eligible for an increase in your Premium Tax Credit.

Do you have to pay back USDA subsidies?

Payment subsidies received on loans approved after October 1, 1979 are subject to recapture. This means that when the property is sold, transferred, or no longer occupied by the customer, all or part of the subsidy granted must be repaid to the government.

How does health care subsidy affect taxes?

If I get an Obamacare subsidy in the exchange, is the subsidy amount considered income? No. The subsidies (both premium assistance tax credits and cost-sharing reductions) are not considered income and are not taxed.

Does Obamacare affect your tax refund?

If there's a difference between the amount of the premium tax credit you used during the year and the amount you actually qualify for, it will impact your refund or the amount of taxes you owe. You'll include Form 8962 with your federal tax return. Get details on how to reconcile.

Who actually pays for Obamacare?

The federal government covers 90% of the cost of Medicaid expansion. Individual Mandate: The ACA also originally included an “individual mandate” or requirement for most people to maintain health insurance.

How to avoid paying back Obamacare?

Avoiding Paying Back Your ACA Tax Credits

Another way to avoid having to repay all or part of your premium assistance is to elect to have all or part of your premium assistance sent to you as a tax refund when you file your tax return, instead of paid in advance to your health insurer during the year.

Why do I have to pay back the ACA subsidy?

If at the end of the year you've taken more premium tax credit in advance than you're due based on your final income, you'll have to pay back the excess when you file your federal tax return.

Can you decline subsidized loan?

You have the right to turn down a loan or to request a lower loan amount. If you accept less than the full amount of the loan you're offered, you can increase the amount (up to the offered amount) later on.

Are subsidized loans forgivable?

Which loans are eligible for loan forgiveness? Only Federal Direct Loan Program loans that are not in default are eligible for PSLF (ie - Direct Subsidized Loans, Direct Unsubsidized Loans, Direct PLUS Loans, Direct Consolidation Loans).

What happens to unused subsidized loans?

Grants and Student Loans

Any money left over is paid to you directly for other education expenses. If you get your loan money, but then you realize that you don't need the money after all, you may cancel all or part of your loan within 120 days of receiving it and no interest or fees will be charged.

Does Obamacare check income?

When you fill out a Marketplace application, you'll need to estimate what your household income for the year. Marketplace savings are based on your expected household income for the year you want coverage, not last year's income. You'll be asked about your current monthly income and then about your yearly income.

Who is not eligible for Obamacare?

Must live in the United States. Must be a U.S. citizen or national (or be lawfully present). Learn about eligible immigration statuses. Cannot be incarcerated in prison or jail.