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The Daily Insight

Are there taxes on health care?

Author

Andrew Ramirez

Published Feb 14, 2026

Employer and most employee contributions to health insurance premiums are excluded from income taxes. The Joint Committee on Taxation estimates that the income tax expenditure on the exclusion for employer-sponsored health insurance was over $153 billion in fiscal year 2019.

Why do I owe taxes on health care?

You may owe the fee for any month you, your spouse, or your tax dependents didn’t have qualifying health coverage. You pay the fee when you file your federal tax return for the year you didn’t have coverage. In some cases, you may qualify for a health coverage exemption from the insurance requirement for that year.

How does the health care law affect your tax return?

If you already filed and have excess advance Premium Tax Credit, you don’t need to file an amended return or take any other action. This chart explains how the health care law affects your tax return. Use the Health Care Law and You chart to see how the law will affect you.

Where do I find health care on my tax return?

Will simply check the box on your individual income tax return on the line labeled “Health care, individual responsibility” to indicate full year coverage. Should receive a Form 1095-A Health Insurance Marketplace Statement from the Marketplace. Should receive a Form 1095-B, Health Coverage form from the provider.

How to claim the health care tax credit?

Must file a tax return and IRS Form 8962, Premium Tax Credit (PTC) and claim the credit on the line labelled – Net premium tax credit. Should contact the entity that is supposed to issue the form. Should file Form 8965, Health Coverage Exemptions, and submit it with your tax return.

Where can I find answers to my tax questions?

INFORMATION FOR… Answers to many of your questions may be found on this site. Please try: Interactive Tax Assistant (ITA) – Find reliable answers to your tax questions. The ITA asks a series of questions and immediately provides answers on a variety of tax law topics.