Premium tax credit from health exchange payback counted as medical expenses?

[Zachu]

I was unemployed for 3 months of the year and got health insurance from WA state exchange, and was qualified for premium tax credit for about 700$ a month. And my yearly income is above the 400% poverty line so I assume I'll need to pay back those tax credit. 

Question:

1. Will these be counted as medical expenses if I decide to itemize my return?

2. How does turbotax handle it in this situation. After I enter my 1095-A from the state exchange, will it automatically counted towards the medical expenses? Or do I need to enter them somewhere?

Thank you

[LindaS5247]

Yes, you can claim any amount of advance payments of the premium tax credit that you did have to pay back as a medical expense.

You can't include in medical expenses any amount of advance payments of the premium tax credit made that you did not have to pay back

You would have to itemize your deductions in order to take this deduction. ‌You can deduct qualified unreimbursed medical expenses that exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income if you use IRS Schedule A to itemize their deductions.

You will need to make the correct entry in Medical Expenses yourself, if TurboTax has not recalculated it for you, however.

To enter your medical expenses, you will:

1. Click on Search at the top right of your TurboTax screen
2. Type "medical expenses" in the search bar
3. Click on the link "jump to medical expenses"
4. Click through the screens and enter your medical expenses on the corresponding screen 
5. Your screen will say, "Tell us about any prescription medical expenses" 
6. You can follow through the screens and enter any medical expenses you have
7. Answer all follow-up questions"

To search for your screen to enter your medical expenses, your screen will look something like this:

You can enter your medical expenses here:

Click here for "Where Do I Enter My Medical Expenses?"

Click here for additional information on medical expenses.

Click here for a medical expenses checklist.