If someone else can claim you as a dependent on their tax return, answer No to the question:
"Did you, your spouse, or a dependent have insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace (Affordable Care Act) in 2026?"
This may seem confusing if you were covered by a Marketplace health insurance plan. However, IRS rules state that the taxpayer who claims you as a dependent is responsible for reporting that coverage and completing Form 8962, Premium Tax Credit, if required.
The IRS instructions for Form 8962 explain that when a dependent is claimed on another person's return, the person claiming the dependent must report the Premium Tax Credit (PTC) and repay any excess Advance Premium Tax Credit (APTC), if applicable. The dependent generally does not file Form 8962.
Why Should I Answer "No"?
Even if you had Marketplace coverage and received a Form 1095-A, you should answer No if:
- You're being claimed as a dependent on another person's tax return, and
- Your coverage was included on the policy of the taxpayer claiming you.
In this situation, the taxpayer claiming you will handle any required Marketplace insurance reporting on their return.
What If I'm Not a Dependent, but Someone Else Had the Marketplace Policy?
If you're listed on a Marketplace policy but cannot be claimed as a dependent, you may need to complete a shared policy allocation on Form 8962. This commonly occurs when:
- Adult children are covered under a parent's Marketplace policy
- Divorced or separated taxpayers share coverage
- Family members file separate tax returns but were enrolled in the same Marketplace plan
For guidance, see:
Key Takeaway
If you're being claimed as a dependent on someone else's tax return, answer No to the Marketplace insurance question. The taxpayer claiming you is generally responsible for reporting the coverage and completing Form 8962, when required. If you aren't being claimed as a dependent but are included on another person's Marketplace policy, you may need to allocate the policy information between tax returns.
Additional Information
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