The Internal Revenue Service reminds taxpayers that an electronically filed tax return will be rejected if the taxpayer is required to reconcile advance payments of the premium tax credit (APTC) on Form 8962, Premium Tax Credit (PTC), but does not complete the form in the software and submit it with their tax return.
Taxpayers must file Form 8962 if any family member was enrolled in Marketplace health insurance and IRS records show that APTC was paid to their Marketplace insurance company. Taxpayers use Form 8962 to reconcile their APTC with the PTC they are allowed. This reconciliation is required even when APTC fully subsidizes the cost of Marketplace insurance, and no premiums are paid by the taxpayer.
The IRS has been seeing an increase in the number of taxpayers who are not including the required Form 8962 when using tax software to file their returns.
FAQs on correcting an electronically filed return rejected for a missing Form 8962
Q1. Why was my electronic return rejected? (added Feb. 23, 2024)
A1. The electronic return was rejected because IRS records show that APTC was paid to the Marketplace health insurance company on behalf of a member of the family, and they are required to complete Form 8962 and attach it to the return to reconcile the APTC with the PTC they were allowed. For purposes of the PTC, the "family" consists of yourself, your spouse if filing jointly, and all other individuals who are claimed as dependents on the return. If someone else enrolled a member of the family in Marketplace health insurance with APTC and the client claimed the family member on their tax return, the client is required to complete Form 8962 and attach it to the return. If another taxpayer has agreed that they will reconcile on their return all or a portion of the APTC paid on behalf of a member of your family, complete Part IV of Form 8962 and attach it to the return.
Q2. How do I know if I was enrolled in Marketplace health insurance with APTC? (added Feb. 23, 2024)
A2. You or the person who enrolled a family member in Marketplace health insurance should have received Form 1095-A, Health Insurance Marketplace Statement, from your Marketplace. Form 1095-A shows the months of coverage and any APTC paid to the Marketplace health insurance company for the coverage.
Q3. What if I was enrolled in Marketplace health insurance but did not receive Form 1095-A? (added Feb. 23, 2024)
A3. If the client purchased insurance through the Federally facilitated Marketplace and set up a HealthCare.gov account, they can get a copy of Form 1095-A online from the account. If the client purchased insurance through a State-based Marketplace, they may be able to get an electronic copy of Form 1095-A from the State-based Marketplace account. Visit the Marketplace’s website to find out the steps needed to follow to get a copy of Form 1095-A online.
Q4. What if my Form 1095-A is incorrect? (added Feb. 23, 2024)
A4. If the client purchased insurance through the Federally-facilitated Marketplace , and they think the information on the Form 1095-A is incorrect, or if they think they should not have received a Form 1095-A because they were not enrolled in Marketplace health insurance, they should contact the Federally-facilitated Marketplace Call Center. If they purchased insurance through a State-based Marketplace, please contact the Marketplace Call Center, which information can be found at your State-based Marketplace website.
Q5. What if they think they are not required to file Form 8962? (added Feb. 23, 2024)
A5. If they think they are not required to complete Form 8962 and attach it to the return, confirm that APTC was not paid to the Marketplace health insurance company for any member of the family. To confirm that APTC was not paid, they should attach to the return a pdf attachment titled "ACA Explanation" with a written explanation of the reason why they believe Form 8962 should not be required. They may also upload any copies of a corrected or voided Form 1095-A from the Marketplace or any notice issued by the Marketplace indicating proof of no enrollment.