Monthly second lowest cost silver plan (SLCSP) premium

[Jonger81]

I received my 1095-A and am having issues entering in the information on Part 3 on Turbotax Home and Business. Column B of Part 3 on the form is 0.00 for every month, but it says the number "Must be greater than 0" when I try to enter that into each column. It's been this way every year I've gotten this form and used Turbotax, and it has never given me this issue.

The help part of the software suggested going to the Marketplace site to find the SLCSP amount using this tool. I did that and it gave me an amount, but I'm not comfortable entering that amount when it is not listed on the form I received. I called the marketplace, and the person I talked to did not seem to know what I was talking about and suggested I ask someone at Turbotax.

So why won't it let me enter 0.00 for column B like it has in the past?

Thanks

[MinhT1]

You should use the tax tool to find your SLCSP and enter it on the 1095-A entry form. Entering 0 or leaving the box in column B blank as explained below will result in a wrong calculation of your premium tax credit.

The SLCSP premium is incorrect if:

• Part III, Column B has a “0” or is blank for any month someone in your household had the Marketplace plan
• You had changes in your household that you didn’t tell the Marketplace about — like having a baby, moving, getting married or divorced, or losing a dependent.

If either applies to you, you’ll use the government's tax tool to get the premium for your second lowest cost Silver plan and fill that cost in column B of form 1095-A. Failure to do this will result in a wrong calculation of the premium tax credit.

[Jonger81]

Why does the marketplace have 0.00 in that field? I had insurance all twelve months and did not have any of those changes. From what I know, the IRS has a copy of this form, so aren’t they expecting me to enter 0.00 into column B? Is it normal for people to have to change the amount?

Thanks in advance.

[LindaS5247]

You can try to contact the issuer of your Form 1095-A if you believe it is incorrect and get a corrected one.

Don't enter zeros from your Form 1095-A into TurboTax. Leave the amounts blank if you paid no premium/had no coverage, but by using the calculator tool as described above by @MinhT1 to enter your SLCSP on Form 1095-A, you should be able to file accurately.

For the method described above, click here for the tax tool, which is provided by the Department of Health and Human Services.

Click here for where to enter your Form 1095-A.

Click here for information on Form 1095-A.

Please feel free to come back to TurboTax Community with additional information or questions or click here for help in contacting Turbo Tax Support. 

[Jonger81]

As mentioned, I contacted the marketplace that issued me the form, and the rude person did not know what I was talking about. It lead to an argument, so I’m done talking with them.

The premium column is filled in with the premium I paid each month. Then columns b and c are both 0.00. It has always been that way when I’ve entered it into TurboTax. Now it says I can’t enter 0.00 in column b.

Not sure what to do.

[JulieS]

Yes, Minh T is correct, you need to look up the second lowest cost silver plan (SLCSP) for your situation and enter that amount in column B. Please use this link to find that number. 

Follow this link for more about this topic. 

[Jonger81]

As mentioned, I have already used that. I would receive a lot in return, which feels like cheating since that column on the form reads 0.00. 

It says I have errors when I try to leave 0.00 in that column when using the software. Can I still submit it, anyway?

[DawnC]

It is not cheating; it is what you are supposed to do.   Not all issuers of Form 1095-A know what they are doing.   The Healthcare.gov website does, and the government website explains how and why you need to enter the amounts from the tool on your Form 1095-A.  You can delete the zeros (leave them blank)  and file your return, but expect delays if you do.    

If you paid for health insurance, TurboTax is not going to give you a credit you don't qualify for.   Here are the requirements.   You can verify the amounts on your tax return.  

[Jonger81]

Forgive my ignorance and thanks for the helpful information. I would fall between the “100% and 400% of the federal poverty level” bracket that it mentions. My turbo tax would obviously know this and would not let me take this credit, otherwise?

Do a lot of people use this tax credit? Thanks again.

[MarilynG1]

Yes, TurboTax calculates Form 8962 for you, based on your income, and 1095-A info.

Many people do use the APTC for their insurance premium payments during the year, and depending on how well they estimated their annual income, they may break even, get a little PTC back, or owe some PTC at tax time.

Here's some additional info on Form 8962 and the PTC. 

[randomUser26]

I found this that is helpful.  The healthcare.gov site itself also states that if the amount is listed as $0 to use their tool.

https://www.healthcare.gov/tax-form-1095/#:~:text=Look%20at%20Part%20III%2C%20column,member%20had%20...

I took the below straight from their site.

How to know if your second lowest cost Silver plan information is correct

Look at Part III, column B of your 1095-A, titled “Monthly second lowest cost silver plan (SLCSP) premium.” It should show figures for each month any household member had the Marketplace plan.

The SLCSP premium is incorrect if:

• Part III, Column B has a “0” or is blank for any month someone in your household had the Marketplace plan
• You had changes in your household that you didn’t tell the Marketplace about — like having a baby, moving, getting married or divorced, or losing a dependent

If either applies to you, use our tax tool (available in late January) to get the premium for your second lowest cost Silver plan.

Use the information from your 1095-A to reconcile

Once you have an accurate 1095-A and second lowest cost Silver plan premium, you’re ready to fill out Form 8962, Premium Tax Credit.

Get a step-by-step guide to reconciling your premium tax credit.