Attention: The deadline to file 2015 federal income taxes is April 18th. You have just over one week to file.

No matter how you got your 2015 health coverage — through the Marketplace, your job, or another source — you must report your 2015 health coverage status to the IRS when you file.

4 things to know if you used premium tax credits with your Marketplace plan in 2015

• You must file a 2015 tax return and "reconcile" your health insurance tax credit on your return.
  • This means you compare the amount of tax credit you used in advance during the year with the amount you actually qualify for based on your final income.
  • If you used more health insurance tax credit than you qualify for, you’ll pay the difference with your federal taxes. If you used less, you'll get the difference as a credit.
• If you don’t file a 2015 tax return and reconcile, you could lose any premium tax credit you’re getting for 2016.

Ready to get started? Choose the situation that best applies to your health insurance in 2015. You’ll get step-by-step directions and the health insurance tax forms you need.

Need tax help?

• Find where to get free volunteer tax help or a tax software program.
• Learn about the IRS Free File.

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If you’re enrolled in a 2016 health insurance plan, here’s what you need to know to about getting the full benefit of your health coverage and keeping it up to date.

4 health insurance tips to use all year

1. Pay your first month’s premium to your plan if you haven’t already. You must pay it each month to keep your health insurance benefits.
2. Submit any missing documents. If you get a notice saying there are data matching issues or "inconsistencies" in your application, some information you provided doesn’t match our records. To avoid losing your health coverage or savings, follow the directions in the notice and submit documents.
3. Update your income and information if it changes. Report any life changes — like changes in income, household size, or residence, or other coverage offers — as soon as they happen. These changes may affect your insurance coverage or savings — and your tax bill next year.
4. Be sure to file your 2015 taxes. If you had a 2015 plan with a premium tax credit, you must file a 2015 federal income tax return. If you don’t, you may lose any savings you’re getting on a 2016 plan.

Didn’t enroll in a 2016 health insurance plan?

Open Enrollment for a 2017 health plan begins on November 1. But if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, or Medicaid or CHIP, you can apply for 2016 coverage now.

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Don’t forget to use your health insurance tax form to file your 2015 federal income taxes! The 1095 tax forms you’ll need depend on whether you had health insurance coverage through the Marketplace or another source, like your job.

If you had 2015 health coverage

• If you had Marketplace coverage with savings or without savings: Use Form 1095-A, Health Insurance Marketplace Statement. If you received savings, you’ll use this form to "reconcile" your premium tax credit based on your final 2015 income. Don’t file your taxes until you have an accurate 1095-A.

• If you had health coverage through your job, a retiree health plan, the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP), or COBRA: Use Form 1095-B, Health Coverage or Form 1095-C, Employer-Provided Health Insurance Offer and Coverage. You should have it by the first week of April, but if you don’t, you can file without it.

• If you had other coverage, like Medicare, Medicaid, or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP): Use Form 1095-B, Health Coverage. If you don’t get the form by the first week in April, don’t worry. Some insurance providers don’t provide the form to their customers, but do send a copy to the IRS. You don’t need to have one to file your taxes.

If you didn’t have 2015 health insurance

If you weren’t enrolled in a health plan that qualifies as minimum essential coverage for all or part of 2015, you must either claim a health coverage exemption or pay a fee with your federal income tax return.

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Congratulations on enrolling in 2016 health coverage! Now that you’re covered, here are a few tips to help you stay healthy and get the care you need.

3 ways to use your health insurance to stay healthy

• Find a doctor and get medical care: If you don’t have a doctor, check your plan to find one in your network. If you get medical services from a provider in your plan’s network, you’ll pay lower prices than you would without insurance. That can save you hundreds of dollars per year, even if you don’t meet your deductible.
• Learn about your prescription benefits: Health plans help pay the cost of certain prescription medications. Some plans offer reduced prices on generic drugs even before you’ve met your deductible.
• Stay healthy with preventive benefits: All health plans sold through the Marketplace cover a set of preventive services at no cost to you when delivered by a network provider. These include some screenings, check-ups, patient counseling, and wellness services.

If you’ve never had health insurance or if it’s been a while, you can get more information about using your coverage and improving your health using our Roadmap to Better Care and a Healthier You (PDF).

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If you enrolled in a Marketplace health insurance plan for 2015, you should have gotten tax Form 1095-A, Health Insurance Marketplace Statement in the mail. If you have an online Marketplace account, it should be there too.

Check your 1095-A to make sure it’s correct

• Carefully read the instructions on the back, and make sure the information is accurate. If anything about your household or coverage is wrong, contact the Marketplace Call Center. They’ll send a corrected version. Don’t file your taxes until you get it.
• Think the "monthly enrollment premium" may be wrong? Read this before calling.
• If your "monthly second lowest cost silver plan (SLCSP) premium" (Part III, Column B) is "0" or blank for any month someone in your household had Marketplace coverage, it may be wrong. It may also be wrong if you didn’t report a change to your household — like having a baby or getting married. If your SLCSP premium is the only thing wrong, you don’t need to request a new form. You can just use our tax tool to get the right figure.

IMPORTANT Don’t file your taxes until you have an accurate 1095-A for 2015.

More information on 2015 Form 1095-A

• Get IRS Form 1095-A instructions for filing your taxes.
• Find out how to reconcile your premium tax credit using the form.
• Don’t have it? Find out how to find it online.

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If you had a 2015 Marketplace health plan and used premium tax credits to lower your monthly payment, you'll need to "reconcile" when you file your federal tax return. Reconciling can affect either the amount of your refund or the amount of tax you owe.

To reconcile, you'll compare 2 figures:

• The amount of premium tax credit you used in advance during the year. (This was paid directly to your health plan so your monthly payment was lower.)
• The premium tax credit you actually qualify for based on your final 2015 income.

If you used more premium tax credit than you qualify for, you’ll pay the difference with your federal taxes. If you used less, you'll get the difference toward a refund.

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

IMPORTANT You must have your Form 1095-A to complete this process. Don’t have your 1095-A? See how to find it.

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Open Enrollment for a 2016 Marketplace health plan is over. But in some cases, you may still be able to get health insurance for 2016.

• If you experience a qualifying event for health insurance — like getting married, having a baby, or losing other coverage — you may be eligible for a Special Enrollment Period. If you do, you can enroll in a Marketplace plan outside the annual Open Enrollment Period.
• You can apply for Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) any time of year. If you qualify, coverage can start immediately.
• Members of federally recognized tribes and Alaska Native shareholders can enroll in Marketplace coverage any time of year. They can change plans as often as once a month.

Are you eligible?

Just answer a few questions to find out if you qualify for either a Special Enrollment Period or Medicaid and CHIP.

SEE IF YOU QUALIFY

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Most people who didn’t have qualifying health coverage in 2015 must either pay a fee or get a "health coverage exemption."

Exemptions are available based on a number of circumstances, like certain hardships, some life events, health coverage or financial status, and membership in some groups. If you qualify and get an exemption, you don’t have to pay the fee.

If you didn’t have coverage for some or all months of 2015, use our exemption tool by using the button below to find health coverage exemptions that may work for you. Just answer a few questions, and we’ll show you:

• Exemptions that may apply to you, including one you may claim on your tax return if insurance is unaffordable to you
• Details to help you see if you qualify
• Step-by-step instructions for how to apply, including links to forms you need

USE OUR EXEMPTIONS TOOL

Important: While the tool provides a lot of useful information, it’s not an exemption application. It can only show you if one of the health care exemptions may work for you, and how to apply.

Learn more about how to apply for an exemption.

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If you (or anyone in your household) had a Marketplace health plan for 2015, keep an eye out for Form 1095-A, Health Insurance Marketplace Statement in the mail. It should arrive through the U.S. mail by mid-February, and it’ll also appear online in your Marketplace account.

You’ll need it to file your 2015 federal income tax return and figure out your final 2015 premium tax credit, if you qualify for one.

IMPORTANT Don’t file your taxes until you have an accurate 1095-A.

How to use your 1095-A

1. Read the instructions on the back carefully, and make sure everything is accurate. If it’s not, contact the Marketplace Call Center.
2. Make sure the information about the “second lowest cost Silver Plan” (SLCSP) is complete. If zeroes show on Part III, column B of the form, you can look up the correct amounts.
3. Once everything is correct, you’ll use Form 1095-A to figure out your final premium tax credit and reconcile any part of this that you used in advance to lower your premiums. That means you’ll compare the premium tax credit you used in 2015 with the tax credit you actually qualify for based on your final income.

Need help?

• Learn more about Form 1095-A, including how to find it online.
• See a step-by-step guide to reconciling your premium tax credit on Form 8962.

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The last day to apply for and enroll in a Marketplace health insurance plan for 2016 was January 31, 2016.

IMPORTANT If you enrolled in a Marketplace health plan for 2016 before the deadline, be sure to pay your first premium to your insurance company, not to the Marketplace, to complete your enrollment.

You may still be able to get coverage

If you didn’t meet the Open Enrollment deadline, you may still be able to get 2016 health insurance if you:

• Have a qualifying life event — like getting married, having a baby, or losing health coverage — that qualifies you for a Special Enrollment Period.
• Qualify for free or low-cost coverage through Medicaid and CHIP. You can apply any time, all year.

More on Special Enrollment Periods

• Learn more about Special Enrollment Periods, including what changes may qualify and how to report them.
• Not sure if you qualify? Just answer a few questions, and we’ll show you your next steps.
• If you already know you qualify, you can log in to update your application and get new eligibility results. Get more detailed instructions here.

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Time is running out if you still need health coverage for 2016. Only a few days remain before the final January 31 deadline to enroll at HealthCare.gov.

IMPORTANT If you miss the deadline, you may have to wait another year to sign up for coverage and you’ll risk being required to pay a penalty of $695 or more when you file your federal income taxes.

Coverage might be more affordable than you think. 8 out of 10 people who sign up for coverage at HealthCare.gov qualify for financial help to lower the cost of their monthly insurance premiums. And after that financial assistance, 7 out of 10 people can find plans with premiums for less than $75 dollars per month.

New to the Marketplace?

• Preview 2016 plans and prices based on your income before you apply.
• Select your state to start a new application.

Already have a 2016 Marketplace plan?

If you were automatically enrolled in a Marketplace health plan for 2016, there’s still time to shop for plans, update your information and make changes.

• New or better plans may be available that save you money and include more services.
• If you find a better plan, you can make changes any time before January 31. Log in to your HealthCare.gov account and update your information.

Help is available

Avoid the last minute rush and sign up early. If you have questions and want to talk through your options, enrollment specialists are available all day and every day at 1-800-318-2596.

Free, confidential, in-person assistance is also available at enrollment sites and events in many communities across the nation. Visit LocalHelp.HealthCare.gov to find local help in your neighborhood.

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As you begin to gather the information you need to file your taxes, it’s important to remember that information about your health coverage is now a part of the tax filing process.

Here’s what you need to know if you have Marketplace coverage:

• If you enrolled in Marketplace health coverage in 2015, you’ll soon get an important tax document in the mail, called Form 1095-A. Your 1095-A includes information you need in order to complete your 2015 federal income tax return. You should wait to file your income tax return until you receive this document in the mail. It should arrive by early February. When it arrives, keep it with your other tax records, like the W-2 you get from your employer.
• If you got financial help to lower the cost of your monthly premiums, you must file a tax return, even if you typically wouldn’t have to, and report the amount of financial assistance you got. The amounts will show on your 1095-A. Now that you know your final income for the year, you need to reconcile the difference between the amount of financial assistance you got with the amount you should have gotten based on your 2015 earnings. Information included on your Form 1095-A will help you do this. If you don’t file a tax return and reconcile your financial help, the Marketplace can’t continue to give you financial help in the future.

Remember, the fee for not having coverage is increasing again this year. If you go without health coverage in 2016, the fee you’ll have to pay next year will increase to $695 or 2.5 percent of your income — whichever is higher.

The good news is Open Enrollment for 2016 coverage is happening now and runs through January 31. If you still need coverage and want to avoid paying a fee next year, you must sign up for coverage before January 31.

Find more tax information on our taxes page, or www.IRS.gov/aca.

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Time is running out! You have until January 31, 2016 to join the millions of Americans who’ve already applied for and enrolled in a Marketplace health plan for 2016. That’s less than 2 weeks!

Don’t miss the deadline — get started now

• Preview 2016 plans and prices based on your income before you apply.
• Ready to apply? Select your state to start a new application.

Remember: Most people who apply will qualify for savings.

Were you automatically enrolled for 2016?

If you were automatically enrolled in a Marketplace health plan for 2016 but didn’t log in to update your information:

• Your savings may not be accurate
• You may have missed seeing new plans that work better for you

To get the right amount of savings, go to HealthCare.gov, log in to your account, update your information, and keep or change your plan by January 31.

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We’ve become aware of an email phishing scam targeted at HealthCare.gov users.

The phishing emails claim to come from HealthCare.gov and ask you to complete a verification process for 2016 tax returns through links that appears to go to HealthCare.gov.

If you receive an email like this with a link, it’s very important that you don’t click on it or copy it. It could take you to a malicious website intended to gain access to personal information, like your username, password, Social Security Number, or bank account numbers.

If you get this phishing email or any email you aren’t sure is legitimate, delete it immediately or ignore it. All official Marketplace emails are from Marketplace@HealthCare.gov.

Here’s what else you need to know:

• Don’t follow the links in the email. You can get to our website directly by typing in www.HealthCare.gov into your web browser.
• Don’t provide any personal information this email might ask for. We’ll never ask for personal information like your username, password, Social Security Number, or bank account numbers through an email.
• Make sure you have antivirus software installed and it is up-to-date.
• Get additional tips to protect against phishing scams at http://ift.tt/1yg6mPy.

Remember: The Marketplace protects your information according to all required laws, regulations and standards. For more information about the Marketplace and your privacy, visit http://ift.tt/1GL3a2n.

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As we enter a new year, consider making your health a priority.

You have until January 31, 2016 to apply for and enroll in a Marketplace health insurance plan for 2016. At HealthCare.gov, you’ll see high-quality and affordable health coverage options available to you. In fact, most who apply will qualify for savings.

Don’t delay — less than one month remains to enroll in health insurance for 2016 coverage.

• Preview 2016 plans and prices based on your income before you apply.
• Ready to apply? Select your state to start a new application.

Already have a Marketplace plan?

If you were automatically enrolled in health insurance for 2016, you’re currently covered for 2016. However, your savings may not be accurate and you may have missed seeing new plans that work better for you. To get the right amount of health insurance savings, you should log in, update your information, and keep or change your plan by January 31.

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