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ACA Premium Tax Credit Calculator (2026 plan year)
Most Texas and Florida households qualify for a federal subsidy on Marketplace coverage. This calculator runs the IRS formula in your browser — nothing is sent to a server — and gives you the same number we use to start your real quote.
How this number is calculated
- Your annual income is divided by the 2025 HHS Federal Poverty Level for your household size, expressed as a percent of FPL.
- That percent maps to an "applicable percentage" of income on the ACA sliding scale. For 2026, this calculator uses the standard ACA scale because the enhanced premium tax credits ended December 31, 2025.
- Multiplying your income by that applicable percentage and dividing by 12 gives your expected monthly contribution toward the benchmark Silver plan.
- Your subsidy is the difference between the benchmark Silver plan premium in your ZIP and your expected contribution.
- If your income lands in the 100–250% FPL band and you pick a Silver plan, you also get Cost-Sharing Reduction (CSR) — lower deductible, lower max-out-of-pocket.
Frequently asked
What is the ACA premium tax credit?
A federal subsidy that pays part of your monthly Marketplace health insurance premium directly to the carrier. It is calculated based on your household size and projected annual income, using the second-lowest-cost Silver plan (SLCSP) in your ZIP rating area as the benchmark.
Why is my answer an "estimate" and not a quote?
The exact tax credit depends on your local SLCSP, which varies by ZIP rating area. This calculator uses a state-level age-band average. Once we run the wizard with your ZIP, we pull the actual SLCSP from CMS and the number is exact.
Do enhanced ACA subsidies still apply in 2026?
No. The American Rescue Plan / Inflation Reduction Act enhanced premium tax credits ended December 31, 2025. This calculator now uses the standard ACA scale for 2026, including the 400% FPL subsidy cliff.
I live in Texas or Florida — does Medicaid expansion affect me?
Yes. Neither Texas nor Florida expanded Medicaid, so households below 100% FPL fall into the "coverage gap" — too poor for ACA subsidies, but not eligible for state Medicaid except in narrow categories. Call us if your income is below 100% FPL and we will walk through your specific options.
What counts as "household income" for this?
Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) — your AGI plus any tax-exempt Social Security, tax-exempt interest, and foreign earned income. For most filers this is the same as AGI. We project the full year; mid-year changes (marriage, job loss, baby) qualify you for a Special Enrollment Period and a recalculation.
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