Step5 of 5 Credits

The PTC helps eligible people cover their premiums (monthly payments) for health insurance purchased through a government Marketplace like HealthCare.gov or a state Marketplace or exchange. Most people who qualify for this credit get it in advance to help pay their monthly health insurance premiums throughout the year.

The Marketplace sends Form 1095-A, Health Insurance Marketplace Statement, to people enrolled in qualified Marketplace health plans.

To get the PTC, you must meet certain requirements and file a tax return that includes Form 8962, Premium Tax Credit (PTC).

In most cases, you can use Direct File to claim the PTC and reconcile advance payments of PTC. There are some exceptions.

You can’t use Direct File for the PTC if:

• You have more than one Form 1095-A, which could happen if you switched plans or updated family information during the year, or if your family was enrolled in different plans
• You, your spouse (if filing jointly), or your dependent was enrolled in both a qualified Marketplace plan and employer-sponsored health coverage for at least one month
• You, your spouse (if filing jointly), or your dependent was eligible for affordable health coverage through an employer while also being enrolled in a qualified Marketplace plan for at least one month
• You have a Marketplace plan that covers an individual listed on your Form 1095-A who is part of another tax family (for example, someone included as a dependent on another person’s tax return)
• You, your spouse (if filing jointly), or your dependent was enrolled in a qualified Marketplace plan by someone else and listed as a covered individual on their Form 1095-A
• There is someone listed on your Form 1095-A who was not eligible for coverage under a qualified Marketplace plan because of their immigration status
• You want to use the alternative calculation for year of marriage, and you meet the requirements