What Is the ACA Form 1095?
If you had health insurance through the Affordable Care Act (ACA), you may have received a document called Form 1095. For many people, this form creates confusion—especially during tax season.
However, Form 1095 plays a critical role in confirming your health coverage and, in many cases, determining whether you correctly received financial assistance.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
What ACA Form 1095 is
The different types of Form 1095
Who receives it and when
Why it matters for your taxes
What to do if it’s missing or incorrect
What Is ACA Form 1095?
Form 1095 is an informational tax document that shows whether you and your household had health insurance coverage during the tax year.
Its primary purpose is to:
Verify health coverage
Support tax filing requirements
Reconcile ACA subsidies when applicable
There are three types of Form 1095, but not everyone receives the same one.
Types of Form 1095
1. Form 1095-A (Most Important for ACA Plans)
Form 1095-A is issued by the Health Insurance Marketplace (HealthCare.gov or a state Marketplace).
You receive this form if:
You enrolled in a health plan through the Marketplace
You received or were eligible for the Premium Tax Credit
This is the most important form for ACA tax purposes.
2. Form 1095-B
This form is issued by:
Private insurance companies
Medicaid
CHIP
Certain government-sponsored plans
It confirms coverage but is not used to reconcile ACA subsidies.
3. Form 1095-C
Issued by large employers (50+ employees), this form shows:
Whether your employer offered coverage
Which months you were insured
It applies mainly to employer-sponsored health insurance.
Why Is Form 1095-A Important?
Form 1095-A is essential because it is required to:
File your federal tax return correctly
Reconcile your ACA subsidy
Avoid IRS delays or penalties
If you received financial assistance for your health plan, you must use Form 1095-A when filing taxes.
What Information Does Form 1095-A Include?
Form 1095-A contains:
Policyholder’s name
Household members covered
Coverage months
Full monthly premium amount
Monthly subsidy received
Benchmark plan information
This data is used to complete IRS Form 8962.
What Is ACA Subsidy Reconciliation?
During the year, the Marketplace estimates your income and provides an advance subsidy to lower your monthly premiums.
When you file taxes:
Estimated income is compared to actual income
The IRS determines whether you:
Received the correct subsidy
Received too much
Received too little
This process is called reconciliation, and it cannot be completed without Form 1095-A.
What Happens If I Don’t Use Form 1095-A?
Failing to include it may result in:
Tax return rejection
Delayed refunds
Owing money to the IRS
Loss of future ACA subsidies
When Is Form 1095-A Available?
Typically:
Issued by late January
Available in your HealthCare.gov account
Sent by mail or downloadable online
Even if you don’t receive it by mail, you are responsible for obtaining it.
What If I Didn’t Receive My Form 1095-A?
You can:
Log into your HealthCare.gov account
Download the form directly
Request a copy from the Marketplace
Do not file your taxes without it if you had an ACA plan.
What If My Form 1095-A Has Errors?
Common errors include:
Incorrect subsidy amounts
Wrong coverage months
Missing household members
If you notice mistakes:
Contact the Marketplace
Request a corrected form
Wait for the updated version before filing taxes
Does Form 1095-A Affect My Tax Refund?
Yes. It can:
Increase your refund
Reduce your refund
Result in a tax balance owed
The outcome depends on how closely your actual income matched your estimate.
Common Mistakes Related to Form 1095
Ignoring the form
Confusing it with other 1095 forms
Not reporting income changes during the year
Filing taxes without it
Not requesting corrections in time
Tips to Avoid Problems With Form 1095-A
Save your form every year
Report income or household changes promptly
Work with a tax professional familiar with ACA rules
Review the form carefully before filing
