What Is A 1095a Tax Form?

What’s Happening

This form comes from Healthcare.gov or your state’s insurance exchange. It shows how much you paid in monthly premiums, how much the government paid toward your premiums through APTC, and the benchmark “second-lowest-cost silver plan” (SLCSP) used to calculate your tax credit. The IRS wants this form only if someone in your household got APTC—and you must file Form 8962 to make sure the advance credit matches your actual 2025 income. Skip this step and you could end up owing money back or missing out on a refund you’re owed.

Step-by-Step Solution

1. Find your 1095-A
   • Your 1095-A should be in your HealthCare.gov account by mid-January 2026 under Documents → Tax Forms.
   • Paper copies go out to the primary filer by mid-February 2026.
   • Can’t find yours? Request a reprint in your account or call the Marketplace at 1-800-318-2596.
2. Open your 2025 tax return
   • In desktop software: Go to File → Open Return → 2025.
   • In online software: Sign in and pick Start 2025 Return.
3. Enter 1095-A data into Form 8962
   1. Copy each month’s Premium Amount and APTC Amount from columns (b) and (c) into lines 12–23.
   2. Use the monthly SLCSP Premium (column (d)) for line 24.
   3. Add up the monthly APTC amounts for line 33.
4. Compare APTC with your actual credit
   • Your tax software will figure out if you owe money back or qualify for extra credit based on your final 2025 income.
   • If APTC was more than your actual credit, repayment might be capped by income limits. IRS ACA reconciliation rules, 2025
   • If your actual credit was higher, the difference comes back to you as a refundable credit.
5. File your return
   • E-filing is required if you got APTC. IRS filing options, 2025
   • Paper filers should mail the return but don’t attach the 1095-A.

If This Didn’t Work

Option 1: Import the JSON file

• Download the JSON version from HealthCare.gov under Documents → Tax Forms → Download.
• Most tax software lets you import it via Deductions & Credits → Import → JSON.

Option 2: Get a reprint from the Marketplace

• Log in and reprint the 1095-A under Documents & Tax Forms.
• Compare the new copy with any old ones to catch any mistakes.

Option 3: Enter the numbers by hand

• If software or importing fails, type everything directly into Form 8962 Part II.
• Check every number twice—especially dates in column (a), APTC in column (c), and SLCSP premiums in column (d).
• Save screenshots of your entries in case the IRS sends a math-error notice later.

Prevention Tips

Update your income with the Marketplace

• Tell the Marketplace about big life changes—job loss, marriage, a new baby—within 30 days to avoid overpaying or underpaying APTC. HealthCare.gov change reporting
• Doing this now can keep you from writing a big check when taxes are due.

Save digital copies of your 1095-A

• Download the PDF and JSON versions as soon as they’re ready.
• Keep them in a folder labeled “2025 Tax Forms” with your other tax papers.

Use IRS Free File Fillable Forms if you qualify

• Single filers making under $79,000 or joint filers under $158,000 in 2026 can file Form 8962 for free. IRS Free File Fillable Forms