Does COBRA qualify for premium tax credit?
Asked by: Hal Ankunding | Last update: September 26, 2025Score: 4.2/5 (38 votes)
Can I get premium tax credit for COBRA?
The same rules that apply to people who are eligible for retiree coverage apply to people who are eligible for COBRA. Like retiree coverage, an offer of COBRA does not bar someone from being eligible for a premium tax credit. It is only a barrier to receiving the credit if the person actually enrolls.
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.
Can I deduct COBRA premiums on my taxes?
Are my COBRA premiums deductible? Yes they are tax deductible as a medical expense. There isn't necessarily a “COBRA Tax Deduction”. You can only deduct the amount of COBRA medical expenses on your federal income tax in excess of 7.5% of your Adjusted Gross Income and then only if you itemize deductions.
Who cannot claim premium credit?
2021 and 2022 PTC Eligibility.
For tax years 2021 and 2022, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) temporarily expanded eligibility for the premium tax credit by eliminating the rule that a taxpayer with household income above 400% of the federal poverty line cannot qualify for a premium tax credit.
How Premium Tax Credit works (ACA Subsidies Explained) | Obamacare
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.
Who receives premium tax credit?
Your tax credit is based on the income estimate and household information you put on your Marketplace application. Income between 100% and 400% FPL: If your income is in this range, in all states you qualify for premium tax credits that lower your monthly premium for a Marketplace health insurance plan.
Is COBRA a taxable benefit?
COBRA premiums may be paid to the employee, and the employee would pay the insurance company directly. Since there is no guarantee that the employee will use the funds to pay the premiums, the funds are considered wages and subject to applicable taxes.
Are COBRA premiums eligible for HSA reimbursement?
COBRA premiums are not eligible under a flexible spending account (FSA). They are eligible under a health savings account (HSA), and may be eligible under a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA). HRA account holders should check with their benefits administrator to determine eligibility for their plan.
Do you have a deductible with COBRA?
Your election of COBRA is a continuation of the exact same health plan you had through your employer. Because it is the same insurance policy, if you've met your deductible already, you will not have rollback to $0 out-of-pocket after you've started COBRA.
What is the maximum income to qualify for premium tax credit?
The premium tax credit is available to individuals and families with incomes at or above the federal poverty level who purchase coverage in the ACA marketplace in their state. Through the end of the 2025 coverage year, there is no maximum income limit for the premium tax credit.
Can I refuse health insurance from my employer and get Obamacare?
Obamacare is available to everyone, whether or not their employers offer insurance. From a practical standpoint, though, there are financial consequences to doing this. Often, an employer subsidizes part or all of their employees' coverage.
Why do I have to pay back premium tax credit?
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.
Who Cannot take the premium tax credit?
If you enroll in an employer-sponsored plan, including retiree coverage, that is minimum essential coverage you are not eligible for the Premium Tax Credit for your Marketplace coverage, even if the employer plan is unaffordable or fails to provide minimum value.
What is the 60 day loophole for cobras?
You have 60 days to enroll in COBRA once your employer-sponsored benefits end. Even if your enrollment is delayed, you will be covered by COBRA starting the day your prior coverage ended.
Can I get ACA if I have COBRA?
During Marketplace Open Enrollment, you can sign up for a Marketplace plan even if you already have COBRA.
What are COBRA premiums?
COBRA insurance typically costs 102% of the total health plan premium. This includes both the employee and employer contributions, along with a 2% administrative fee.
Are electric toothbrushes HSA-eligible?
Routine electric toothbrushes for general oral hygiene are usually not eligible.
Can you still contribute to an HSA if you are on COBRA?
You are still eligible to participate and contribute to an HSA while on COBRA as long as: You're enrolled in an HSA-eligible health plan (or high-deductible health plan). You don't have any disqualifying coverage (such as an FSA).
Can I claim COBRA premiums on taxes?
According to the Federal tax laws, your unreimbursed COBRA payments are, in fact, deductible as medical expenses on your 1040 tax return in the same way that you can deduct unreimbursed payments for legal medical services provided by physicians, surgeons, dentists, and other medical practitioners, as well as any ...
Can COBRA premiums be refunded?
Request a Refund for Amounts Paid in COBRA Premiums Exceeding Federal Employment Tax Liability: The employer may claim the Credit through an employment tax refund on the applicable employment tax return, generally Form 941, Employer's Quarterly Federal Tax Return.
Are COBRA premiums pre-tax?
There actually IS a way to pay COBRA premiums on a pre-tax basis—if you have money in a Health Savings Account (HSA). Unfortunately, this is not true with Flexible Spending Account (FSA) money.
How do I know if I had a premium tax credit?
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 2024 income. This will affect the amount of your refund or tax due. Include your completed Form 8962 with your 2024 federal tax return.
Is the premium tax credit going away?
Does the Expiration Mean the Subsidies Will End After 2025? The PTC will continue after 2025. There is no sunset provision applicable to authorization for the credit itself. The expiration applies only to the temporary provision that expanded income eligibility and enhanced subsidy amounts described above.
Should I use all of my premium tax credits?
If your income goes up or you lose a member of your household: You'll probably qualify for a lower premium tax credit. You may want to reduce the amount of tax credit you take in advance each month. This way you don't wind up taking more credits than you qualify for.