This form is used to reconcile your premium tax credit (PTC)—essentially, it compares the amount of credit you received throughout the year with what you were actually eligible for based on your final income and household size. It helps the IRS determine whether you used the right amount of assistance—or if you may be owed more, or need to repay a portion.

For many Marketplace participants, this is a routine part of the tax process. Filing Form 8962 ensures your tax return reflects your health coverage accurately and keeps you eligible for future savings.

Take a closer look here at this Reconciliation Guide for more details.

Who Needs to File Form 8962 and Why?

If you—or anyone in your household—received a premium tax credit to help pay for a Marketplace insurance plan, you’ll need to file Form 8962 with your federal tax return.

This form is used to reconcile the tax credit. In simple terms, that means you’re confirming with the IRS whether the amount of credit you received during the year matches the amount you were actually eligible for—based on your final income and household size.

Here’s what the conciliation compares:

• The amount of premium tax credit you used throughout the year (this was sent directly to your insurance company to lower your monthly premium)
• The amount of credit you were truly eligible for, based on your finalized income and family size as reported on your tax return.

This comparison matters because the premium tax credit is based on income estimates you made when applying for coverage. If your actual income ended up being higher or lower, the credit needs to be adjusted accordingly.

That adjustment happens when you file the form.

Reconciling the credit ensures your tax return is accurate—and determines whether you’ll receive an additional credit or may need to pay back a portion of what you used.

For example, if you estimated an annual income of $30,000 when you applied, but your actual income was $35,000 you may have received more credit than you qualified for–and need to repay part of it.
On the other hand, if your income was lower than expected, you might receive an additional credit when you file.

Filing Form 8962 is how you finalize this balance and stay in good standing with both the IRS and your health plan.

When Do I File Form 8962?

You’ll need to file Form 8962 at the same time you file your federal income tax return—typically by the IRS deadline in mid-April. This form is submitted along with your Form 1040, the standard U.S. individual income tax return.

If you or anyone in your household received advanced premium tax credits (APTC) during the year to help lower your monthly health insurance premium, then Form 8926 is required to complete your return. It’s how the IRS reconciles the credit amount and determines whether you received the right amount of financial assistance.

Filing without Form 8962 when it’s required can cause several issues:

• Your tax refund may be delayed while the IRS requests the missing form
• Your return could be marked incomplete, requiring additional steps to fix
• You may even become temporarily ineligible for premium tax credits in future coverage years until the issues resolved

If you’re using tax software or working with a tax preparer, they should prompt you to include Form 8962 automatically. Still, it’s a good idea to double-check your documents before filing, especially if you received premium assistance through the Marketplace.

Where Do I Get the Information to Complete It?

To fill out Form 8962, the most important document you’ll need is Form 1095-A, also known as the Health Insurance Marketplace Statement.

This form is sent to you by the Health Insurance Marketplace, not by your insurance company. You should receive it by the end of January for the previous tax year, either by mail or through your online Marketplace account. If you haven’t received it or misplaced it, you can log in to your Marketplace account at Healthcare.gov to download a copy or request assistance.

What Does Form 1095-A Include?

Form 1095-A contains all the details the IRS needs to reconcile your premium tax credit, including:

• The names of everyone covered under your Marketplace plan
• The dates you had coverage (by month)
• The full monthly premium amount for your plan
• The amount of advance premium tax credit (APTC) that was paid to your insurer on your behalf each month

Each of these details corresponds to specific lines on Form 8962, so having your 1095-A on hand is essential for completing it accurately.

What if I Need Help Completing the Form?

Form 8962 can be confusing, especially if your income changed during the year or your household had multiple coverage periods. If you’re unsure how to fill it out:

• Refer to the official IRS instructions for Form 8962 for line-by-line guidance
• Use trusted tax preparation software, which often auto-fills the form when you enter your 1095-A details
• Consider working with a qualified tax preparer, especially if your situation is complex or if you received multiple 1095-A forms

You can also find helpful articles and tools at Healthcare.gov’s tax help center to guide you through the process.

Filing this form accurately helps keep your tax return on track and protects your eligibility for future premium tax credits.

Questions About Form 8962