Does having Obamacare affect your tax return?

Asked by: Michele Fadel  |  Last update: April 17, 2025
Score: 4.3/5 (3 votes)

The premium tax credit was established by the Affordable Care Act. 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.

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.

Do I have to pay back Obamacare 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.

Does the Affordable Care Act increase taxes?

Additional taxes at higher incomes

The Affordable Care Act also imposes two new taxes in addition to new reductions to exemptions and itemized deductions on people with higher income. The first new tax is the Net Investment Income Tax, which was added to the bill to help offset the costs of the law's major provisions.

How much taxes do you pay on Obamacare?

The 3.8 percent Net Investment Income Tax applies to individuals, estates and trusts that have certain investment income above certain threshold amounts. For additional information on the Net Investment Income Tax, see our questions and answers.

How does Obamacare affect tax returns for this year?

45 related questions found

Who has to pay the 3.8 Obamacare tax?

The tax applies only to people with relatively high incomes. If you're single, you must pay the tax only if your adjusted gross income (AGI) is over $200,000. Married taxpayers filing jointly must have an AGI over $250,000 to be subject to the tax.

How does the premium tax credit affect my tax return?

Claiming a net PTC will lower the amount of tax you owe or increase your refund to the extent it is more than the amount of tax you owe. See the Coronavirus tax relief section on this page for information specific to tax year 2020.

Is Obamacare tax deductible?

If you paid the premiums for a policy you obtained yourself, (such as through the marketplace) your health insurance premium is deductible when they are out-of-pocket costs.

Does Obamacare cover surgery?

All plans offered in the Marketplace cover these 10 essential health benefits: Ambulatory patient services (outpatient care you get without being admitted to a hospital) Emergency services. Hospitalization (like surgery and overnight stays)

Does having health insurance affect your tax return?

Whether you get financial help or not, health coverage is part of filing your taxes. Unless you report that you had health coverage, you may have to pay a state tax penalty. If you received federal or state financial help, you'll report that as well.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

Do I need to file a tax return for Obamacare?

If you chose to have advance payments of the premium tax credit paid directly to your insurance company, you must complete Form 8962, Premium Tax Credit and file a federal income tax return, even if you are otherwise not required to file.

Will a 1095 lower my tax return?

Yes. In some cases, the information on the corrected Form 1095-A may be in your favor – it may decrease the amount of taxes you owe or increase your refund.

What is the $400 tax credit?

"The tax credit will provide first-time homebuyers with relief on their monthly mortgage payment, of more than $400 per month, as rates continue to fall.

At what income level does the 3.8 surtax kick in?

The threshold is $250,000 for joint filers, $125,000 for married filing separately, and $200,000 for all other filers. Net investment income includes the following items of income reduced by applicable expenses: interest, dividends, capital gains, annuities, royalties, and passive rental and business income.

How to avoid Obama Care tax?

Exemptions
  1. Income is below the tax filing threshold.
  2. Health coverage is considered unaffordable (exceeded 7.97% of household income for the 2024 taxable year)
  3. Families' self-only coverage combined cost is unaffordable.
  4. Short coverage gap of three consecutive months or less.
  5. Certain non-citizens who are not lawfully present.