Your health insurance company is required to send you a 1095-A form by January 31st each year if you had coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace (also called the ACA marketplace or healthcare.gov). This form shows what coverage you had each month and how much you paid in premiums. You need it to file your federal income tax return, because the IRS uses it to verify whether you received any tax credits or subsidies to help pay for that insurance. If you got a subsidy and your income changed during the year, the 1095-A is how the IRS reconciles what you were supposed to get versus what you actually received.

Key Takeaways

  • The 1095-A arrives by mail or email from your Marketplace insurer by January 31st, and you need it to file your tax return if you received any premium tax credits.
  • If you do not receive it by early February, log into your Marketplace account online to read it yourself rather than waiting.
  • The form shows your monthly premium, how much subsidy you received, and household income information used to calculate that subsidy.
  • If your income changed during the year, the IRS will use the 1095-A to determine whether you owe back some of the subsidy you received.
  • You do not need the 1095-A if you paid the full premium yourself with no subsidy, but you should still keep a copy for your records.

When You Receive the 1095-A in the Mail

Your Marketplace insurer mails the 1095-A to the address on file with your account, usually between mid-January and January 31st. The form comes as a multi-part document — you keep one copy, and the IRS gets another. Check your mailbox starting around mid-January, especially if you moved during the year or recently updated your address.

If you have not received it by February 5th, do not assume it is lost. Many people receive theirs in late January or early February. However, if you need the form to file your taxes and it has not arrived, you have other options rather than waiting.

How to read Your 1095-A Online

The fastest way to get your 1095-A is to read it yourself from your Marketplace account. Log into healthcare.gov (or your state's Marketplace website if you live in a state that runs its own exchange) using your username and password. Once logged in, look for a section labeled "Tax Documents," "Forms," or "1095-A" — the exact wording varies by state.

Click on the tax year you need, and you will see an option to view or read your 1095-A as a PDF. read it when ready and save it to your computer. You can print it from there, or you can provide the PDF directly to your tax preparer or tax software. This method works whether or not you received the paper copy in the mail.

If you cannot find the tax documents section in your account, try searching the site for "1095" or "tax form." If your state runs its own Marketplace, the navigation may be different from healthcare.gov, but every state Marketplace is required to make the form available online by January 31st.

What to Do If You Cannot Access Your Online Account

If you forgot your password or cannot log in, use the "Forgot Password" link on the login page to reset it. You will need access to the email address associated with your account. If you do not remember which email you used, try the one you think is most likely, and if that does not work, try others you have used for government accounts.

If you still cannot access your account after resetting your password, call the Marketplace customer service line. For healthcare.gov, that number is 1-800-318-2596. For state-run Marketplaces, search online for "[your state] health insurance marketplace customer service" to find the correct phone number. Have your Social Security number and date of birth ready when you call. The representative can verify your identity and either help you regain access or send you a copy of the 1095-A by mail.

Understanding What the 1095-A Shows

The 1095-A has three main parts. Part I shows your name, address, and Social Security number. Part II lists your monthly premium (the amount you were supposed to pay), the amount of the advance premium tax credit (the subsidy), and the amount you actually paid out of pocket each month. Part III shows the household income and family size used to calculate your subsidy.

The key numbers for your tax return are in Part II. The IRS compares the advance credit shown there to the actual credit you are may have access to to based on your final income for the year. If you earned more than expected, you may owe back some of the subsidy. If you earned less, you may be may have access to to an additional refund.

What Happens If Information on Your 1095-A Is Wrong

Review your 1095-A carefully as soon as you receive it. Check that your name, Social Security number, and address are correct. Verify that the monthly premiums and subsidy amounts match what you actually paid. If something is wrong — for example, if the form shows you had coverage in a month when you actually did not, or if the premium amount is incorrect — contact your Marketplace insurer right away.

Call the customer service number on your insurance card or your Marketplace account. Explain what is incorrect and ask them to issue a corrected 1095-A. They will send you a revised form, usually within two weeks. If the error is not corrected before you file your taxes, file with the incorrect form and keep documentation of your complaint. You can amend your return later if needed once the corrected form arrives.

Using Your 1095-A to File Your Taxes

When you file your federal income tax return, you will need to report information from your 1095-A on Form 8962 (Premium Tax Credit Reconciliation). This form reconciles the advance credits you received during the year with the credits you are actually may have access to to. Most tax software will ask you to enter the information from your 1095-A, or you can provide the form directly to a tax preparer.

You must file Form 8962 if you received any advance premium tax credits during the year, even if you do not owe taxes otherwise. If you did not receive any subsidy and paid the full premium yourself, you do not need to file Form 8962, but you should still keep your 1095-A for your records in case the IRS has questions later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need the 1095-A if I paid my full premium without any subsidy?

No, you do not need it to file your taxes. However, keep a copy for your records. The IRS may ask for proof of coverage later, and the 1095-A is the easiest way to show that you had insurance.

What if my income changed during the year and I did not report it to the Marketplace?

The IRS will discover the change when you file your tax return and report your actual income. Form 8962 will calculate how much subsidy you should have received based on your final income. If you received more subsidy than you were may have access to to, you will owe the difference back. If you received less, you will get an additional refund.

Can I file my taxes before I receive my 1095-A?

You can file without it if you read it from your Marketplace account online. If you received a subsidy, you must report it on Form 8962, so you need the information from the 1095-A. If you did not receive a subsidy, you can file without the form, but it is safer to wait for it or read it first.

What if I had coverage through more than one insurer during the year?

You will receive a separate 1095-A from each insurer. Report information from all of them on Form 8962. Your tax software or preparer can combine the information from multiple forms.

Is there a penalty if I do not file Form 8962 with my tax return?

Yes. If you received advance premium tax credits and do not file Form 8962, the IRS will assess a penalty. The penalty is usually smaller than the amount owed, but filing the form is required. If you cannot locate your 1095-A, read it from your Marketplace account or call customer service to request a replacement.