What is the affordability penalty for 2025?

Asked by: Meaghan Orn  |  Last update: June 17, 2025
Score: 4.2/5 (70 votes)

Bottom Line: An ALE's failure to offer coverage that meets the ACA affordability standard for any given full-time employee creates potential B Penalty liability in 2025 of $362.50/month ($4,350 annualized) for that full-time employee.

What is the IRS affordability threshold for 2025?

The IRS updated its affordability threshold for the 2025 tax year to 9.02%. This is an increase from 8.39% in 2024, and employers should prepare accordingly.

What is the penalty for the ACA 2025?

Section 4980H(a) penalty: ALEs must pay a monthly penalty of $241.67 or an annual penalty of $2,900 per employee. This penalty applies if they fail to offer MEC to 95% of their full-time employees and their dependents.

What is the ACA affordability testing for 2025?

The IRS recently announced the 2025 ACA affordability percentage, increasing from 8.39% of an employee's household income in 2024 to 9.02% in 2025*.

What is the affordability test for 2025?

The IRS adjusts the affordability percentage each year and for 2025 the cost of single coverage must be less than 9.02% of an employee's household income in order to be affordable.

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How to calculate affordability?

Using a percentage of your income can help determine how much house you can afford. For example, the 28/36 rule suggests your housing costs should be limited to 28 percent of your total monthly gross income and 36 percent of your total debt.

What is the ACA affordability penalty?

IRC §4980H(a)—The “A Penalty”

The 2025 A Penalty decreases to $241.67/month ($2,900 annualized) multiplied by all full-time employees (reduced by the first 30). It is triggered by at least one full-time employee who was not offered minimum essential coverage enrolling in subsidized coverage on the Exchange.

How can I avoid ACA penalty?

To avoid this penalty notice, employers must adhere to the appropriate ACA filing and furnishing deadlines for the applicable tax year. Employers have until March 1 each year to furnish the required 1095-C forms to their full-time staff.

What is the penalty B for 2025?

Penalty B will be $4,350 per year ($362.50 per month) multiplied by the number of full-time employees who obtain subsidized coverage through Covered California.

How do I calculate ACA affordability?

Take the employee's lowest hourly rate for the month and multiply the number by 130, the minimum total of hours a worker must provide to be classified as a full-time employee under the ACA. Take the product of that calculation and multiply it by 9.02% for 2025.

What is the penalty for ACA B 2025?

For the 2025 tax year, the 4980H(b) penalty is $362.50 per month, or an annualized $4,350, per employee. This is also a decrease from 2024's annualized amount of $4,460.

What is the tax law change for 2025?

For tax year 2025, the exemption amount for unmarried individuals increases to $88,100 ($68,650 for married individuals filing separately) and begins to phase out at $626,350, the IRS announced. For married couples filing jointly, the exemption amount rises to $137,000 and begins to phase out at $1,252,700.

What is the safe harbor for the ACA affordability test?

Safe harbors are ways for employers to demonstrate that their healthcare plans are affordable under the standards of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). There are three safe harbors: W2 Box 1 Wages, Rate of Pay, and Federal Poverty Line (FPL). Each has advantages and disadvantages for different employers.

How to calculate the ACA affordability for 2025?

Calculating Affordability Using the FPL Safe Harbor

For most employers, the FPL safe harbor is the easiest to calculate. For 2025 calendar year plans, the FPL safe harbor is satisfied if an employee's required monthly contribution for self-only coverage doesn't exceed 9.02% of the federal poverty line divided by 12.

What is the penalty for pay or play in 2025?

The IRS recently released updated penalty amounts for 2025 related to the employer shared responsibility (pay-or-play) rules under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). For calendar year 2025, the adjusted $2,000 penalty amount is $2,900, and the adjusted $3,000 penalty amount is $4,350.

What happens if I underestimate my income for the Affordable Care Act?

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.

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.

What happens if I overestimate my income for marketplace insurance?

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.

Does social security count as income for Obamacare?

Include both taxable and non-taxable Social Security income. Enter the full amount before any deductions. Include all unemployment compensation that you get from your state.

What is the affordability rule?

A simple formula—the 28/36 rule

Here's a simple industry rule of thumb: Housing expenses should not exceed 28 percent of your pre-tax household income. That includes your monthly principal and interest payments, plus additional expenses such as property taxes and insurance.

How much house can I afford if I make $70,000 a year?

The house you can afford on a $70,000 income will likely be between $290,000 to $360,000. However, your home-buying budget depends on quite a few financial factors — not just your salary.

How do you pass the affordability test?

Make sure you have all the necessary documentation ready. This can include proof of income, recent bank statements, and details of your monthly expenses. Having all the documents ready will show the lender that you are responsible and well-prepared, increasing your chances of passing the affordability check.