When you apply for coverage in the Health Insurance Marketplace, the Marketplace will estimate the amount of the premium tax credit that you may be able to claim for the tax year, using information you provide about your family composition and projected household income. Based upon that estimate, you can decide if you want to have all, some, or none of your estimated credit paid in advance directly to your insurance company to be applied to your monthly premiums.
If you choose to have all or some of your credit paid in advance, you will be required to reconcile on your income tax return the amount of advance payments that the government sent on your behalf with the premium tax credit that you may claim based on your actual household income and family size.
If you do not opt for advance credit payments or the Marketplace determines that you were not eligible for advance payments at the time of enrollment, you may be eligible to claim the credit when you file your tax return for the year, which will either lower the amount of taxes owed on that return or increase your refund.
Learn more about the Health Insurance Premium Tax Credit at: www.healthcare.gov
Neil Primack – Your South Florida & West Palm Beach Health Insurance and Medicare Supplement Expert