Do I have to pay back Obamacare tax credit?
Asked by: Ramon Bernier PhD | Last update: September 9, 2025Score: 4.2/5 (35 votes)
Does Obamacare tax credit have to be paid back?
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.
How can I avoid paying back my premium tax credit?
The only way to reduce your APTC (Advanced Premium Tax Credit) repayment is to reduce your AGI, and the only way to do that after the tax year is over (ie, now), for most folks is to make a deductible contribution to a traditional IRA or make a contribution to an HSA for tax year 2023.
How does the healthcare tax credit affect my tax return?
The credit is “refundable” because, if the amount of the credit is more than the amount of your tax liability, you will receive the difference as a refund. If you owe no tax, you can get the full amount of the credit as a refund.
Do you have to pay the tax credit back?
If you qualify for a “refundable” tax credit, you'll receive the entire amount of the credit. If the credit exceeds the tax you owe, you'll receive the remaining amount as a tax refund. Even if you owe no taxes, you can apply for and receive a refundable tax credit.
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Do you have to pay back earned income tax credit?
You may qualify for the earned income tax credit (EITC) if you worked last year but earned a low or moderate income. EITC is a refundable tax credit, which means that even if you don't owe any tax, you can still receive a refund.
Why do I owe so much premium tax credit?
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.
How do tax credits work with Obamacare?
You can use all, some, or none of your premium tax credit in advance to lower your monthly premium. If you use more advance payments of the tax credit than you qualify for based on your final yearly income, you must repay the difference when you file your federal income tax return.
Does having Obamacare affect your tax return?
Obamacare and the premium tax credit
It makes health insurance premiums for coverage purchased through the Health Insurance Marketplace more affordable for eligible individuals. The premium tax credit is the main way that having Obamacare impacts your taxes.
What happens if I underestimate my income for Obamacare in 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.
Why do I owe taxes because of health insurance?
Owe taxes if you used more of the premium tax credit than you qualified for in 2024. You'll have to report the excess amount on your 2024 tax return by filing Form 8962, Premium Tax Credit (PDF, 115 KB). Find instructions for Form 8962 (PDF, 348 KB).
How do I avoid premium tax credit repayment?
Avoiding or Reducing Premium Tax Credit Repayments
The key to reducing the amount of premium tax credits you have to repay is keeping your household income below 400% of the federal poverty level. As long as your income is below this level, your repayments are capped.
What disqualifies you from the premium tax credit?
For tax years other than 2021 and 2022, if your household income on your tax return is more than 400 percent of the federal poverty line for your family size, you are not allowed a premium tax credit and will have to repay all of the advance credit payments made on behalf of you and your tax family members.
Is the care tax credit a refundable credit?
In 2021 only, for the first time, the credit is fully refundable. This means that an eligible family can get it, even if they owe no federal income tax.
Do I have to pay back Obamacare subsidies?
If your household income (MAGI) is at least 400% of the previous year's federal poverty level (FPL), you'll have to repay all of the excess APTC. But if your household income is below that threshold, there are caps on how much excess APTC you must repay.
How do premium tax credits affect my refund?
If you choose not to get advance credit payments, the full amount of the premium tax credit you are allowed will lower the amount of tax you owe for the year, or increase your refund to the extent your premium tax credit is more than the amount of tax you owe.
Is Obamacare a refundable tax credit?
The premium tax credit – also known as PTC – is a refundable credit that helps eligible individuals and families cover the premiums for their health insurance purchased through the Health Insurance Marketplace.
What happens if your income increases with Obamacare?
If your income estimate goes up or you lose a household member — You may qualify for less savings than you're getting now. If you don't report the change, you could have to pay money back when you file your federal tax return. The amount you pay for your health insurance every month.
What if your tax credit is more than you owe?
Refundable tax credits do more than reduce the amount of taxes you owe. They can trigger a refund of up to the full amount of the tax credit under certain circumstances. Unlike what happens with nonrefundable tax credits, when a refundable tax credit exceeds the tax liability, that difference is refunded to you.
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.
Does tax credit mean you get money back?
Tax credits are amounts you subtract from your bottom-line tax due when you file your tax return. Most tax credits can reduce your tax only until it reaches $0. Refundable credits go beyond that to give you any remaining credit as a refund.
How much will I get back with earned income tax credit?
You may be eligible for a California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC) up to $3,644 for tax year 2024 as a working family or individual earning up to $30,950 per year. You must claim the credit on the 2024 FTB 3514 form, California Earned Income Tax Credit, or if you e-file follow your software's instructions.
What disqualifies you from earned income credit 2024?
If you received more than $11,600 in investment income or income from rentals, royalties, or stock and other asset sales during 2024, you can't qualify for the EIC. This amount increased from $11,000 in 2023. You have to be 25 or older but under 65 to qualify for the EIC.