While most taxpayers will simply need to check a box on their tax returns to indicate they had health coverage for all of 2015, the IRS points out that there are a few forms and specific lines on Forms 1040, 1040A, and 1040EZ that relate to the health care law.
To help navigate health coverage reporting, the agency says, taxpayers should consider filing their returns electronically. Using tax preparation software is the best and simplest way to file a complete and accurate tax return because the software guides taxpayers through the process and does all the math.
There are a variety of electronic filing options, the agency points out, including free volunteer assistance, IRS Free File for taxpayers who qualify, commercial software, and professional assistance.
Following is information about reporting health coverage:
Form 8965, Health Coverage Exemptions
- Complete this form to claim a coverage exemption on a tax return or report a Marketplace-granted coverage exemption.
- Use the worksheet in the Form 8965 Instructions to calculate the shared responsibility payment.
Form 8962, Premium Tax Credit
- Complete this form to claim the premium tax credit on a tax return, and to reconcile advance payments of the premium tax credit.
Form 1095, Health Care information Forms
- Taxpayer who enrolled in coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace should receive Form 1095-A, Health Insurance Marketplace Statement, which will help them complete Form 8962. Taxpayers should wait to file until they receive this form.
- Health coverage providers or employers may furnish taxpayers with a Form 1095-B, Health Coverage, or Form 1095-C, Employer-Provided Health Insurance Offer and Coverage. Taxpayers do not have to wait to receive these forms before they file their tax return.
- See the IRS questions and answers page for more information about how these forms affect a tax return.
Form 1040
- Line 46: Enter advance payments of the premium tax credit that must be repaid
- Line 61: Report health coverage, or enter the individual shared responsibility payment
- Line 69: Report net premium tax credit if the allowed premium tax credit is more than advance credit payments paid on behalf of the taxpayer
Form 1040-A
- Line 29: Enter advance payments of the premium tax credit that must be repaid
- Line 38: Report health coverage or enter individual shared responsibility payment
- Line 45: Report net premium tax credit if the allowed premium tax credit is more than advance credit payments paid on the taxpayer’s behalf
Form 1040-EZ
- Line 11: Report health coverage or enter individual shared responsibility payment
- Form 1040EZ cannot be used to report advance payments or to claim the premium tax credit
For more information about the Affordable Care Act and filing a 2015 income tax return, visit IRS.gov/aca.
The IRS.gov site also provides information on this topic for those who file Form 1040-NR or 1040-NR-EZ.
