Is Form 1095 still required?

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Form 1095 health insurance documents are still required by the IRS for reporting and compliance, but individual taxpayers generally do not need Form 1095-B or Form 1095-C to file their federal income taxes.

For Individual Taxpayers

  • Form 1095-A: If you bought health insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace, you do need this form to file and reconcile your Premium Tax Credit. Wait for it before filing.
  • Form 1095-B and 1095-C: You do not need to attach or wait for these forms to file your federal tax return. Most users on Reddit agree that these forms are primarily for your personal records, as the federal individual mandate penalty no longer applies. Keep them in your files just in case.

For Employers and Insurers

  • IRS Filing: Applicable Large Employers (ALEs with 50 or more full-time equivalent employees) and insurance providers are still legally required to prepare and file Forms 1095-B and 1095-C with the IRS.
  • Distribution Changes: Under IRS rules, employers and insurers are no longer automatically required to mail or hand out physical copies of Forms 1095-B and 1095-C to every individual. Instead, many use an alternative method by posting a clear public notice on their website stating that the form is available. They must still provide the actual form within 30 days if an employee or individual requests it.

What happens if I don't put my 1095-A?

If you file your taxes without Form 1095-A after having Health Insurance Marketplace coverage, your e-filed tax return will likely be rejected by the IRS, or your tax refund will be delayed while the IRS investigates the missing reconciliation.

What Happens When It's Missing

  • Tax Return Rejection: The IRS matches tax records with data from the Marketplace. If you had Marketplace coverage and omit Form 8962 (which requires Form 1095-A to complete), the system usually rejects your electronic return outright.
  • Delayed Refunds and Letter 12C: If your return accidentally slips through and gets accepted without the form, the IRS will flag the discrepancy. They will typically hold your refund and mail you an IRS Letter 12C asking you to submit Form 1095-A and Form 8962 before they can finish processing your return.
  • Loss of Future Subsidies: If you fail to reconcile your Advance Premium Tax Credits (APTC) using the data on your 1095-A, you will lose eligibility for future premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions in subsequent years.
  • Repayment of Credits: Reconciling the form determines if you received too much or too little assistance during the year based on your estimated income. Leaving it out means you won't clear or pay back adjustments properly, which leads to bills or reduced refunds later.

How to Fix It

  1. Log into your HealthCare.gov account or your state's health marketplace to download your Form 1095-A.
  2. If you already filed without it, watch for IRS correspondence or log into your tax software (like Intuit TurboTax) to prepare an amendment or update your health insurance entries.

Does the IRS still require proof of health insurance?

No, the IRS does not require you to send proof of health insurance or attach health coverage forms (like Form 1095-B or 1095-C) when filing your federal tax return.

Federal Rules for Health Insurance Proof

  • No Penalty: The federal individual mandate penalty was reduced to zero starting in 2019. You do not need to prove you had coverage to avoid a federal tax penalty.
  • Marketplace Exception (Form 1095-A): If you bought insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace, you will receive Form 1095-A. You must use this form to complete Form 8962 and reconcile any advance premium tax credits. You should wait for this form before filing.
  • Keep Records: While you do not attach forms like 1095-B or 1095-C to your return, keep them with your personal tax files in case you need them later.
  • State Taxes: Note that some individual states have their own health insurance mandates and may require proof or assess a state penalty if you lack coverage.

What do I do if I don't have my 1095-A form?

You can download your missing form online by logging into your HealthCare.gov Marketplace account or your state's specific health exchange portal.

How to Find Your Form 1095-A Online

  • Log in to your account on HealthCare.gov or your state marketplace website.
  • Select your application for the specific tax year you need (make sure to choose the correct prior-year application, not the current coverage year).
  • Navigate to Tax Forms located on the menu on the left side of the screen.
  • Download the PDF copy of your Form 1095-A and save or print it.

What Else You Can Do

  • Wait to file: Do not file your taxes or guess your numbers without the 1095-A form. You need it to complete Form 8962 to reconcile your premium tax credits. Filing without it can cause your e-file to be rejected or your refund to be delayed.
  • Call the Marketplace: If you cannot access your online account or the form is missing, call the Marketplace Call Center at 1-800-318-2596 to request a copy by mail.
  • Check your mail: Paper copies are automatically mailed out by early-to-mid February if you did not opt out of postal notices. Make sure your current mailing address is updated in your profile.

Are 1095-C required for 2026?

Yes, Form 1095-C is still required for Applicable Large Employers (ALEs) with 50 or more full-time employees.

IRS Filing Requirements

  • Filing with the IRS: Employers must file Forms 1094-C and 1095-C with the IRS. Electronic filing is mandatory if an employer submits 10 or more information returns.
  • Deadlines for 2026 tax year (covering 2026): Generally due to the IRS by March 31, 2027 if filing electronically (or February 28, 2027 if filing by paper).

Employee Distribution Rules (Alternative Website Option)

  • Automatic Mailing Changes: Thanks to the Paperwork Burden Reduction Act and IRS Notice 2025-15, employers are no longer strictly forced to automatically mail paper copies to every employee.
  • Website Notice Alternative: Employers can instead post a clear notice on a company website stating how employees can request or access their form, provided the notice stays active through October 15 and requests are fulfilled within 30 days.
  • State Exceptions: Employers must still check individual state laws (such as in California or Massachusetts), as state-level health insurance mandates may still require direct physical or electronic furnishing to residents by specific deadlines.

Missing Form 8962 - E-File Rejection or IRS Letter || Premium Tax Credit & Tax Form 1095-A

9 related questions found

Can I still file my taxes without a 1095?

You can file your federal taxes without a Form 1095-B or 1095-C, but you cannot file without a Form 1095-A if you or a family member had Marketplace health coverage.

Form 1095-A (Marketplace Coverage)

  • Required: Yes.
  • Details: You need this form to fill out Form 8962 and reconcile your advance Premium Tax Credit.
  • Action: Wait for the form to arrive or download it from your account on HealthCare.gov before filing. Filing without it will cause the IRS to reject your return.

Form 1095-B (Health Coverage)

  • Required: No.
  • Details: This form shows proof of your minimum essential coverage.
  • Action: You do not need to wait for it or submit it. Keep it with your personal records.

Form 1095-C (Employer-Provided Coverage)

  • Required: No.
  • Details: This form details the health coverage offered by large employers.
  • Action: You can file your return using your own records about your job-based insurance offer. Do not wait for this form.

Does a 1095-A affect my tax refund?

Yes, Form 1095-A directly affects your tax refund because it is used to reconcile your Advance Premium Tax Credits (subsidies) with your actual income.

How the Reconciliation Works

  • Larger Refund: If your actual income was lower than estimated when you signed up for Marketplace insurance, you may qualify for a larger credit, increasing your refund.
  • Smaller Refund or Tax Owed: If your actual income was higher than estimated, you may have received too much advance credit and have to pay back the excess, which reduces your refund or results in a tax bill.
  • No Change: If you did not receive advance payments or subsidies during the year, filing the form generally will not change your refund.

Most users on Reddit agree that entering a 1095-A via Form 8962 often changes the expected refund amount once the final subsidy calculation locks in.

Is 1095 reporting still required?

Yes, Affordable Care Act (ACA) Form 1095 reporting to the IRS is still fully required for applicable large employers, insurers, and self-insured plan providers.

Core IRS Filing Requirements

  • Applicable Large Employers (ALEs): Employers with 50 or more full-time employees (including full-time equivalents) must still file Forms 1094-C and 1095-C with the Internal Revenue Service.
  • Insurers and Small Self-Insured Employers: Providers of minimum essential coverage must still file Forms 1094-B and 1095-B.
  • Electronic Filing: If you file 10 or more information returns in total with the IRS, electronic filing remains mandatory.

Recent Distribution Changes

  • No Automatic Mailing Required: Employers and insurers are no longer strictly required to automatically mail or distribute physical 1095-B and 1095-C copies to all individuals.
  • Website Notice Alternative: You can satisfy the furnishing requirement by posting a clear, conspicuous notice on your public website stating that the form is available upon request.
  • Fulfillment on Demand: If an individual requests a copy, you must provide it within 30 days (or by January 31, whichever is later).
  • State Exceptions: Certain states with their own individual health mandates (such as California, New Jersey, and Massachusetts) may still enforce specific recipient distribution or reporting rules that override general federal website notice relief.

Does the IRS still penalize for no health insurance?

No, the IRS no longer charges a federal penalty for not having health insurance.

Federal Rules

  • The federal penalty (known as the individual shared responsibility payment) ended after the 2018 tax year.
  • You do not need to report your health coverage status on your federal tax return.
  • There is no federal fee if you go uninsured.

State Penalties

Even though the IRS stopped penalizing people, certain states and Washington, D.C., created their own rules. You may owe a state penalty when you file your state taxes if you live in:

  • California
  • Massachusetts
  • New Jersey
  • Rhode Island
  • Washington, D.C.

Do I have a 1095-A form if I have health insurance?

You only have a Form 1095-A if you or someone in your household enrolled in a health plan through the official Health Insurance Marketplace (or a state health exchange).

When You Do Not Get Form 1095-A

You will not receive this specific form if your health coverage comes from:

  • An employer (you may receive Form 1095-C instead)
  • A government program like Medicare, Medicaid, or CHIP
  • A private plan bought directly from an insurance company outside the Marketplace
  • A Catastrophic plan purchased through the Marketplace

What To Do If You Had Marketplace Coverage

  • Timing: The Marketplace mails Form 1095-A by early to mid-February.
  • Online Access: You can usually download an electronic copy directly from your HealthCare.gov account or your state's exchange website earlier in the year.
  • Tax Filing: You need this form to complete IRS Form 8962 and reconcile your premium tax credits when filing your taxes.