Why do I have to pay back Obamacare?

Asked by: Miss Adelia Mills Sr.  |  Last update: November 9, 2025
Score: 4.2/5 (6 votes)

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.

Do you have to pay Obamacare back?

If your income is more than what you told us on your application, you may have to repay some or all of the advanced premium tax credits that you got. There are limits to the amount you may need to repay, depending on your income and if you file taxes as “Single” or another filing status.

Why do I have to pay back my marketplace insurance?

If your annual contribution should have been higher, then the Marketplace overpaid the health insurance company, and you need to pay the government back for some of that. If you end up making less money that what you estimated at the beginning of the year, then you get a refund of some or all that you paid.

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.

Does Obamacare fine you?

The fee for not having health insurance (sometimes called the "Shared Responsibility Payment" or "mandate”) ended in 2018. This means you no longer pay a tax penalty for not having health coverage. If you don't have health coverage, you don't need an exemption to avoid paying a tax penalty.

Under what circumstances might I have to repay my ACA subsidy - Hollywood, FL

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Who pays for Obamacare?

Here, we take a closer look at the coverage options and costs associated with ACA subsidies, and how they fit into overall healthcare spending. The federal government subsidizes health insurance for over 150 million Americans through various programs and tax benefits.

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.

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.

How does Obamacare affect my taxes?

A tax credit you can use to lower your monthly insurance payment (called your “premium”) when you enroll in a plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace®. Your tax credit is based on the income estimate and household information you put on your Marketplace application.

Can I quit Obamacare?

Consumers can terminate a Marketplace plan at any time and for any reason. For example, they might accept a new job and enroll in employer-sponsored coverage (ESC). Or perhaps they've become newly eligible for Medicaid or Medicare. Some consumers may simply want to end their coverage.

Why do I owe taxes because of health insurance?

Owe taxes if you used more of the premium tax credit than you qualified for in 2024. You'll have to report the excess amount on your 2024 tax return by filing Form 8962, Premium Tax Credit (PDF, 115 KB). Find instructions for Form 8962 (PDF, 348 KB).

Is Obamacare mandatory?

Residents of California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Washington, D.C. are required to buy health insurance or face a penalty, unless they have an exemption. Maryland and Vermont require residents to report their health insurance status but do not have a financial penalty for being uninsured.

What is the biggest problem with Obamacare?

Obamacare has increased the cost of health care and health insurance. The ACA's federal mandates and spending, including Medicaid expansion and subsidized individual plans, have drastically increased the cost of health care and health insurance. 2. Obamacare increases Americans' reliance on the federal government. …

Why do people disagree with Obamacare?

Despite these positive changes, a near majority of Americans still oppose the ACA, even though they approve of most of its features. They oppose the mandate that all Americans must have health insurance (the individual mandate), and they oppose a government role in health care.

What are the pros and cons of Obamacare?

The pros of the ACA include prohibiting insurance companies from denying coverage based on health history and providing subsidies to reduce premiums and out-of-pocket costs. The cons of the ACA include small business challenges and limited provider options in some regions.

Who is exempt from Obamacare?

If you're seeking an exemption because you can't afford coverage, you're a member of a federally recognized tribe, you're incarcerated, or you participate in a recognized health care sharing ministry, you have two options: The exemptions can be claimed when you complete your federal tax return.

What states refuse Obamacare?

The Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, was enacted in 2010, but 10 states have not expanded Medicaid, the federal-state program that provides health care for low-income people. They are Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

Does Obamacare cover everyone?

The Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, gives most uninsured people in the U.S. access to health insurance as long as they are U.S. citizens who live in the country or noncitizens who are lawfully present, not incarcerated, and not covered by Medicare.

Is there a minimum income for Obamacare?

This means an eligible single person can earn from $15,060 to $60,240 in 2025 and qualify for the tax credit. (Tax credit information for the 2025 coverage year is based on 2024 federal poverty guidelines.) A family of three would qualify with income from $25,820 to $103,280 in 2025.

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 is the average deductible for Obamacare?

KFF also reported the average 2024 deductible for marketplace plans sold via HealthCare.gov, (combined for medical and prescription drugs) by metal rating: $7,258 for Bronze plans, $5,241 for Silver plans, $1,430 for Gold plans, and $97 for Platinum plans.