You’ll use this form to fill out IRS Form 8962, which determines whether you got the right amount of tax credit—or if you need to pay back or receive more when you file your taxes.

Form 1095-A is sent only to people who enrolled in a Marketplace health plan. If you had health insurance through an employer or a government program like Medicaid or Medicare, you’ll receive a different form (like 1095-B or 1095-C)—not this one.

Let’s break down why this form matters, how to find it, and how to use it correctly at tax time.

Why You Might Need a Form 1095-A 

Form 1095-A plays a key role in the tax filing process for anyone who received premium tax credits (PTC) to help pay for a health insurance plan through the Marketplace. Whether you used those credits to lower your monthly premium or qualified for them based on your income, this form contains the official record of what you received and when.

You’ll use the information on Form 1095-A to:

• Report your health coverage to the IRS
• Reconcile the advance payments of your premium tax credit (APTC) with your actual household income
• Complete Form 8962, which finalizes whether you received the correct amount of financial assistance

This process ensures that what you received in premium tax credits throughout the year matches what you were truly eligible for based on your final income, as reported on your final tax return.

Even if you only had Marketplace coverage for part of the year—whether it was one month or several—you’ll still receive a Form 1095-A for that coverage period. And you’ll still need to use it when filing your taxes.

Why it Matters

Filing without Form 1095-A (when it’s required) can lead to delays in your tax refund, your return being marked incomplete, or even a pause in future eligibility for premium tax credits until the issue is resolved.

That’s why it’s so important to keep an eye out for your 1095-A, double-check it for accuracy, and wait to file until you’ve received it. It’s more than just a form—it’s your official record of coverage and savings through the Marketplace.

How to Find Your Form 1095-A

The Health Insurance Marketplace is responsible for sending you Form 1095-A—not your health insurance company.

You can find your Form 1095-A by:

• Checking your mail — a paper copy is usually sent to the mailing address you provided
• Logging in to your Marketplace account at Healthcare.gov to view and download it online

If you haven’t received your 1095-A by early February, or you notice incorrect or missing information, you should:

• Contact the Marketplace directly for help
• Avoid filing your taxes until you have the corrected form in hand

Remember: this form is required to complete Form 8962, which must be filed if you received premium tax credits. Waiting to file until you have the correct version of your 1095-A helps prevent delays or corrections later.

How to Use Your Form 1095-A

Once you’ve received your Form 1095-A, the next step is to use it to complete IRS FORM 8962—the form that helps determine if you received the correct amount of premium tax credit during the year. This process is called reconciliation, and it’s a key part of filing taxes for anyone who uses a Marketplace plan with financial assistance.

What’s Included on Form 1095-A?

Your 1095-A includes the information you’ll need to complete Form 8962 accurately:

• Names of all individuals covered under your Marketplace plan
• Start and end dates of coverage, listed by month
• The total monthly premium for the second-lowest-cost Silver plan (benchmark plan) available in your area
• The monthly advance premium tax credit (APTC) amounts that were paid to your insurance company on your behalf

This data allows the IRS to compare the premium tax credit you used throughout the year with the amount you were actually eligible for, based on your final reported income. 

Why this Matters

When you applied for Marketplace coverage, you likely estimated your income for the year. That estimate helped determine how much premium tax credit you qualified for in advance. At tax time, the IRS checks whether your actual income matches what you originally estimated.

For example, if you estimated your income at $30,000 when you applied, but you actually ended up earning $35,000, you may have received more premium tax credit than you were eligible for—and you will need to pay back the difference.

If your income ends up lower than expected, you might qualify for additional credit when you file.

Reconciling these amounts ensures that the financial assistance you received aligns with what you truly qualified for. It also helps keep you eligible for savings in future coverage years.

Tips for Filing

If you’re using tax software or working with a tax preparer, they will usually prompt you to enter the information from your 1095-A. Many systems automatically use that data to fill out Form 8962 correctly. However, it’s important to double-check your entries and ensure the numbers on your 1095-A match what you report—especially if your form was corrected or reissued.

And remember: if your situation changed significantly during the year—like a job change, income fluctuation, or mid-year enrollment—your 1095-A may include multiple rows of data. Be sure to enter each line carefully to avoid errors.

Questions About IRS Form 1095-A