What a 1095-A form is and why you need it
A 1095-A form is a tax document that shows the health insurance coverage you had during the year and how much you paid for it. If you bought health insurance through the federal marketplace (Healthcare.gov) or your state's marketplace, you will receive this form by January 31st each year. The form lists your monthly premiums, any tax credits the government paid directly to your insurer, and the names of people covered under your plan.
You need the 1095-A to file your federal income tax return if you had marketplace coverage. The IRS uses it to verify that you had insurance and to check whether you received the correct amount of tax credits. Even if you did not owe taxes that year, you may still need to file a return to reconcile your credits — meaning to compare what you received during the year against what you were actually may have access to to based on your final income.
The form does not mean you owe money or that anything is wrong. It is straightforward the record that connects your coverage to your tax filing.
Key Takeaways
- The 1095-A arrives by January 31st from your marketplace insurer, either by mail or through your online account.
- If you do not receive it by early February, contact your marketplace directly — do not wait until tax time.
- You can read a copy from your marketplace account or request a replacement from your insurer's customer service.
- Keep the form with your tax documents; you will need it when you file your return or work with a tax preparer.
- If your address changed during the year, the form may have been sent to an old address, so check your marketplace account first.
Where the 1095-A comes from and when to expect it
Your health insurance company sends the 1095-A, not the IRS or the marketplace itself. The insurer is required by law to mail it to you by January 31st of the following year. For example, if you had coverage in 2024, you will receive the form by January 31, 2025.
Most insurers now offer both a mailed copy and an online version. You can usually read it from your insurer's website or through your marketplace account (Healthcare.gov, your state marketplace, or your employer's portal if you had coverage through work). Check your email for a notification that the form is ready — many companies send a message when the document is posted online.
If you had coverage through multiple insurers during the year (for example, you switched plans in March), you will receive a separate 1095-A from each company for the months they covered you.
How to read your 1095-A from your marketplace account
The fastest way to get your form is to log into your marketplace account and read it yourself. Go to Healthcare.gov if you used the federal marketplace, or your state marketplace website if you enrolled through your state. Log in with the same username and password you use to manage your coverage.
Once logged in, look for a section labeled "Documents," "Tax Documents," "1095-A," or "Forms." The exact name varies by marketplace. Click on the year you need and read the PDF. You can print it, save it to your computer, or both. This method usually works starting in late January, sometimes earlier.
If you cannot find the form in your account by early February, or if you do not remember your login information, move to the next step.
What to do if you have not received your 1095-A by February
If the form does not arrive by early February, contact your health insurance company's customer service directly. Have your policy number and member ID ready — these appear on your insurance card. Tell them you need a copy of your 1095-A form for tax purposes.
If you enrolled through Healthcare.gov, you can also contact the federal marketplace at 1-800-318-2596. They can tell you whether the form has been sent and can sometimes request a replacement on your behalf. If you used your state marketplace, contact that marketplace's customer service line — the number is on your state's health insurance website.
Request that the form be sent both by mail and by email if possible. Email is faster and gives you proof of the date you received it. Keep any confirmation numbers or emails from your request.
What to do if your address changed during the year
If you moved during the year and did not update your address with your insurer before January 31st, the 1095-A may have been sent to your old address. Check your marketplace account first — the form is usually posted online regardless of mail delivery.
If the form is not in your online account, call your insurer and tell them about the address change. Ask them to confirm the address they have on file and to resend the form to your current address. You can also request that they email it to you instead.
If the form was already mailed to your old address, contact the new resident or your local post office to see if they can forward it. In the meantime, read a copy from your marketplace account or request one by email from your insurer.
How to use your 1095-A when you file taxes
When you file your federal income tax return, you will need the 1095-A in front of you. The form shows the amount of advance tax credits (also called subsidies) that were paid to your insurer on your behalf during the year. You will enter this information on your tax return to reconcile your credits.
If you received more credits than you were may have access to to based on your final income, you may owe some back. If you received less than you were may have access to to, you may get a refund. The 1095-A is how the IRS verifies what happened.
If you work with a tax preparer or use tax software, you will provide them with the 1095-A. They will use the numbers from the form to complete the reconciliation section of your return. Keep the form with your tax documents for at least three years in case the IRS has questions.
What to do if you lost your 1095-A or need a replacement
If you misplaced your form or accidentally deleted the digital copy, you can request a replacement from your insurer at any time. Call their customer service line and ask for a duplicate 1095-A. They can usually email it to you within a few business days or mail it within one to two weeks.
You can also read it again from your marketplace account if it is still posted there. Most insurers keep the form available online for several years. If you cannot access your account, use the "Forgot Password" option to reset your login, or call the marketplace to verify your identity and request the form by phone.
Do not wait until the last minute before tax day to request a replacement. Getting it early gives you time to resolve any issues with the form or your coverage before you file.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need the 1095-A if I did not owe taxes?
You may still need to file a return to reconcile your health insurance tax credits, even if you had no income or owed no taxes. The IRS requires this reconciliation when you received advance credits during the year. The 1095-A is the document that shows what credits you received, so you need it to complete your return accurately.
What if my 1095-A shows the wrong information?
Contact your insurer when ready and explain the error. Common mistakes include wrong names, incorrect coverage dates, or wrong premium amounts. Your insurer can issue a corrected form, usually within two weeks. If the error affects your tax return, keep documentation of the correction and include a note with your return explaining the issue.
Can I file my taxes without the 1095-A?
You can file your return, but the IRS may reject it or flag it for review if the 1095-A information does not match their records. It is better to wait for the form or request a replacement before filing. If you absolutely must file before receiving it, contact a tax professional about your options.
What if I had coverage through my job, not the marketplace?
If your employer provided health insurance, you will receive a different form called a 1095-B or 1095-C, not a 1095-A. The 1095-A is only for marketplace coverage. Your employer's benefits department will send you the correct form.
How long do I need to keep my 1095-A?
Keep it for at least three years after you file your tax return. The IRS can audit returns from previous years, and you will need the form to prove your coverage and credits if they do. After three years, you can discard it, though many people keep tax documents longer for their own records.