What if I underestimate my income for Obamacare in 2024?

Asked by: Dr. Aric Grimes Jr.  |  Last update: June 9, 2025
Score: 4.1/5 (51 votes)

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.

What happens if I underestimate my income for Obamacare?

The person is required to accurately estimate their annual income, and if it's running lower than expected, they're required to notify their ACA authority of that fact as well.

What happens if I overestimate my income for Obamacare in 2024?

If you overestimate your income and end up claiming less help than you are entitled to, the difference will be refunded to you when you file your income taxes the following year.

What if I don't make enough money for Obamacare?

If you don't qualify or feel you can't afford a Marketplace plan, you can find low-cost health care at a nearby community health center. Get more information about your coverage options through the Marketplace.

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.

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Does Obamacare check your income?

The Health Insurance Marketplace® uses annual household income and other information to decide if you qualify for savings on health coverage through the Marketplace (like the premium tax credit) and other cost savings, like lower copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles (also called cost-sharing reductions).

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.

How much is Obamacare a month for a single person?

Monthly premiums for Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace plans vary by state and can be reduced by premium tax credits. The average national monthly health insurance cost for one person on an Affordable Care Act (ACA) plan without premium tax credits in 2024 is $477.

How does marketplace verify income?

Here are the documents you can submit to confirm your yearly income: 1040 federal or state tax return. Note: It must contain your first and last name, income amount, and tax year. Wages and tax statement (W-2 and/ or 1099, including 1099 MISC, 1099G, 1099R, 1099SSA, 1099DIV, 1099SS, 1099INT).

What happens if I don't file form 8962?

If you received an APTC and don't file Form 8962, you could be ineligible for Marketplace APTCs in the future. Beginning in plan year 2025, Marketplaces must give enrollees advance notice that they are at risk of losing their APTCs after one year of failing to reconcile.

What happens if you don't report income?

If you don't include taxable income on your return, it can lead to penalties and interest. The IRS may charge penalties and interest beginning from the date they think you owe the tax.

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.

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.

Can you be turned down for Obamacare?

No insurance plan can reject you, charge you more, or refuse to pay for essential health benefits for any condition you had before your coverage started. Once you're enrolled, the plan can't deny you coverage or raise your rates based only on your health.

How to calculate ACA affordability 2024?

Calculating Affordability Using the FPL Safe Harbor

The FPL Safe Harbor is the easiest to calculate. For 2024 calendar year plans, the FPL Safe Harbor is satisfied, if the required monthly employee contribution for self-only coverage does not exceed 8.39% of the federal poverty line divided by 12.

How much income to qualify for Obamacare 2025?

Premium tax credits are available to people who buy Marketplace coverage and whose income is at least as high as the federal poverty level. For an individual, that means an income of at least $15,060 in 2025. For a family of four, that means an income of at least $31,200 in 2025.

Will I have to pay back my 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.

What income should I use for marketplace?

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.

What happens if I underestimate my income for Obamacare?

If the consumer underestimated their income at the time of application and excess APTC was paid on their behalf during the year, they would have to repay some or all of the excess tax credit when they file. There are maximum repayment limits which vary depending on income, shown in Table 3.

Does Obamacare want gross or net income?

Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), eligibility for Medicaid, premium tax credits or premium subsidies, and cost-sharing reductions or is based on modified adjusted gross income (MAGI). But the ACA has its own calculation of MAGI, which differs from MAGI calculations used for other purposes.

What if I overestimate my income for marketplace?

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.