Will My Healthcare Marketplace Premium Tax Credit Be Added to My Return Since I Did Not Use Them Monthly

[user17698063767]

I qualified for over $370/month in a premium tax credit from Healthcare Marketplace. However, I did not use it and my monthly premium was $266. Now, I am trying to file my tax return and TurboTax says I do not qualify for it.

1. My income did NOT increase from the original estimate

2. I did not have a "Catastrophic" health plan 

3. I am positive none of the credit was used each month

Google says I should receive the credit added to my return, is this a mistake from TurboTax?

[Vanessa A]

Yes.  If the Premium Tax Credit was not used throughout the year to help pay your premiums in advance and you are eligible for the Premium Tax Credit, it will be added to your refund.  

You will need to enter your 1095-A which will generate form 8962.  Then TurboTax will calculate your premium you are eligible for based on your exact income for the year.  

To be eligible the following must apply:

• Your income is between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level
• You must not be eligible for affordable coverage through Medicaid, Medicare or your employer
• Your filing status cannot be married filing separately
• You cannot be claimed as a dependent on another taxpayers return
• You must enroll through the Marketplace 

[user17698063767]

I inputted all of the correct information, but turbo tax says I am not owed any in return. Even though, marketplace says I qualify for that credit. 

Full transparency: I made $9,500 for the whole year. I file for just myself. Nobody else claims me on their taxes. In December 2025, I was notified that I qualified for Medicaid and so I made the switch.

Is this an error on TurboTax or is it because I switched to Medicaid in the last month of the year? I paid my full premium for the other months and was told I would receive the credit when I filed my return.

[Vanessa A · Accepted solution]

No.  This is not a TurboTax error.  If you made $9,500 for the year you do not qualify for the Premium Tax Credit.  In order to qualify you must be between 100% and 400% of the Federal Poverty Level.  The Federal Poverty Level that is used for 2025 tax returns is $15,060 for a single person.  Since you made less than that, you are under 100% which means you do not qualify for the Premium Tax Credit.

When you applied for the Insurance, did you tell them this would be the amount you would be earning or did you expect to earn more for the year?  If you expected to earn more for the year and ended up earning less this would be the reason you would have qualified at the time of your application but do not now.