2026 ACA Marketplace estimate
Health Insurance Marketplace Calculator
Estimate a 2026 Affordable Care Act premium tax credit, expected household contribution and net Marketplace plan premium using household income, family size and local benchmark-plan costs.
Last Updated: August 28, 2026
This calculator applies the 2026 IRS applicable-percentage table and the 2025 federal poverty guidelines used for 2026 Marketplace savings. It is a screening estimate, not an official Marketplace eligibility result, plan quote or federal tax calculation.
Estimate Your 2026 Marketplace Premium Tax Credit
Enter expected 2026 household MAGI and monthly premiums from a Marketplace quote. Use the second-lowest-cost Silver plan premium for the people in your tax household who need Marketplace coverage.
Marketplace Premium and Credit Breakdown
The premium tax credit cannot exceed the selected plan premium. Coverage-period totals use the entered number of months.
| Calculation item | Monthly | Coverage period | Basis |
|---|
What This Health Insurance Marketplace Calculator Estimates
The calculator estimates the premium tax credit available for a Marketplace plan in 2026. It converts expected household income into a percentage of the applicable federal poverty guideline, selects an IRS household-contribution percentage and compares that expected contribution with the benchmark Silver premium.
The credit is based on the second-lowest-cost Silver plan available to eligible tax-family members, not necessarily the plan selected. You can normally apply a qualifying credit to a Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum Marketplace plan, but the credit cannot exceed the premium for the selected plan's covered essential health benefits.
Actual eligibility depends on the Marketplace application, tax household, income, lawful presence, enrollment months, employer coverage, government coverage and other federal rules. The tool cannot reproduce a state or federal Marketplace determination.
How to Use the Marketplace Calculator
- Select the federal poverty guideline region for the tax household: the contiguous states and Washington, DC, Alaska or Hawaii.
- Enter the expected tax household size for 2026, including people counted for Marketplace savings even when they do not need coverage.
- Enter expected 2026 household MAGI. Start with recent adjusted gross income and adjust for known income and household changes.
- Enter the monthly second-lowest-cost Silver plan premium shown in a 2026 Marketplace quote. Do not use an average premium.
- Enter the full monthly premium for the plan you are considering and the number of covered months.
- Complete the filing-status, other-coverage and dependent screens. Select Not sure when employer affordability or minimum value has not been confirmed.
- Review the estimated credit, net premium, FPL percentage and eligibility warnings. Confirm the result through the official Marketplace.
2026 Marketplace Subsidy Rules Used
The additional pandemic-era premium savings ended on December 31, 2025. Under the rules in effect for 2026, the premium tax credit generally requires household income from 100% through 400% of the federal poverty line. A household above 400% FPL generally receives no premium tax credit.
IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-25 sets the 2026 applicable percentages. The percentage is the share of household income used to calculate the expected contribution toward the benchmark premium. Within a band, this calculator uses linear interpolation between the initial and final percentages.
| Household income as FPL | Initial percentage | Final percentage | Calculator treatment |
|---|---|---|---|
| At least 100% but less than 133% | 2.10% | 2.10% | Fixed at 2.10%. |
| At least 133% but less than 150% | 3.14% | 4.19% | Interpolated within the band. |
| At least 150% but less than 200% | 4.19% | 6.60% | Interpolated within the band. |
| At least 200% but less than 250% | 6.60% | 8.44% | Interpolated within the band. |
| At least 250% but less than 300% | 8.44% | 9.96% | Interpolated within the band. |
| At least 300% through 400% | 9.96% | 9.96% | Fixed at 9.96%. |
The same Revenue Procedure sets 9.96% as the 2026 affordability percentage for the applicable employer-coverage test. Employer affordability and minimum value involve details this calculator does not determine.
Federal Poverty Guidelines for 2026 Marketplace Savings
Marketplace savings for 2026 coverage use the 2025 HHS poverty guidelines because they were the most recently published guidelines when open enrollment for 2026 began. HealthCare.gov separately uses 2026 income guidelines when screening Medicaid and CHIP in 2026.
| Household size | 48 states and DC | Alaska | Hawaii |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $15,650 | $19,550 | $17,990 |
| 2 | $21,150 | $26,430 | $24,320 |
| 3 | $26,650 | $33,310 | $30,650 |
| 4 | $32,150 | $40,190 | $36,980 |
| 5 | $37,650 | $47,070 | $43,310 |
| 6 | $43,150 | $53,950 | $49,640 |
| 7 | $48,650 | $60,830 | $55,970 |
| 8 | $54,150 | $67,710 | $62,300 |
| Each additional person | Add $5,500 | Add $6,880 | Add $6,330 |
Marketplace Premium Tax Credit Formula
The official calculation is completed month by month on Form 8962 and can adjust for partial household enrollment, policy allocations, changes during the year and premiums attributable to benefits outside essential health benefits. This calculator uses one monthly benchmark and selected-plan premium across the entered months.
Worked 2026 Marketplace Example
Assume a two-person household in a contiguous state expects $50,000 of 2026 household MAGI. The monthly benchmark Silver premium is $900, and the selected plan costs $750 before the credit.
The household must still satisfy every Marketplace and tax requirement. A different SLCSP premium, selected-plan premium, income or coverage month changes the official credit.
Why the Benchmark Silver Premium Matters
The premium tax credit is tied to the second-lowest-cost Silver plan available to eligible household members. It is not calculated from the cheapest plan, a national average or the plan you select. The benchmark can change when household ages, address, covered members or local plan offerings change.
Benchmark plan
Sets the maximum preliminary credit after subtracting the expected household contribution.
Selected plan
Sets the premium you start with and caps how much credit can be applied to that plan.
Net premium
Equals the selected plan premium less the estimated credit, never below zero.
A lower-cost plan can have a net premium below the expected contribution because the credit is derived from the benchmark. A plan costing more than the benchmark can leave a higher net premium because the household pays the difference.
Income, Household and Eligibility Considerations
Expected Household MAGI
Marketplace savings use expected income for the coverage year. Household MAGI generally starts with adjusted gross income and adds tax-exempt interest, excluded foreign income and nontaxable Social Security benefits. Supplemental Security Income is not included. Include required income for a spouse and tax dependents according to Marketplace rules.
Employer and Government Coverage
A person generally cannot receive a premium tax credit for a month when eligible for affordable employer-sponsored coverage that provides minimum value or eligible for qualifying government coverage such as Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP or TRICARE. Family-member affordability can differ from employee-only affordability. Use the official Employer Coverage Tool or Marketplace application.
Tax Filing Status and Dependents
A person who can be claimed as another taxpayer's dependent cannot claim the premium tax credit. Married taxpayers generally must file jointly, with narrow relief for certain victims of domestic abuse or spousal abandonment. The calculator accepts an exception selection but does not verify the legal conditions.
Medicaid, CHIP and Cost-Sharing Reductions
Income below 138% FPL can indicate possible Medicaid eligibility in an expansion state. Medicaid and CHIP use state rules and 2026 income guidelines, so this calculator shows only a prompt to apply. Income below 100% FPL generally does not qualify for Marketplace savings, although limited exceptions exist for certain lawfully present individuals and people whose projected income met Marketplace requirements.
Cost-sharing reductions can lower deductibles, copayments, coinsurance and the out-of-pocket maximum. They are separate from the premium tax credit and generally require enrollment in a Silver plan. The tool flags the common 100% through 250% FPL income band but does not calculate a plan's actuarial value or out-of-pocket costs.
Advance Credit Payments and Form 8962
The Marketplace can send advance payments of the premium tax credit directly to the insurer. You may choose to use all, some or none of the advance amount. If income, household size, address or other coverage changes, update the Marketplace application promptly.
After the year ends, Form 1095-A reports enrollment premiums, the SLCSP and advance credit payments. Form 8962 compares advance payments with the credit allowed using final tax information. Using more advance credit than allowed can create a federal tax repayment. Using less can increase the credit claimed on the return, subject to eligibility.
Calculator Scope and Limitations
- The calculator covers 2026 Marketplace coverage under federal premium tax credit rules available on August 28, 2026.
- It uses 2025 poverty guidelines for the premium tax credit and does not calculate Medicaid or CHIP eligibility.
- It assumes the same benchmark and selected-plan premium for every entered coverage month.
- It does not determine lawful presence, incarceration restrictions, residence, tax-family allocation or special below-100% FPL exceptions.
- It does not test employer-plan affordability, minimum value, family-member offers or waiting periods.
- It does not separate premiums for nonessential health benefits or tobacco surcharges.
- It does not calculate cost-sharing reductions, deductibles, copayments, coinsurance or total medical spending.
- It does not replace HealthCare.gov, a state Marketplace, Form 8962, an insurer quote or professional tax advice.
Related Insurance Calculators
Health Insurance Marketplace Calculator FAQs
What does the Health Insurance Marketplace Calculator estimate?
It estimates a 2026 premium tax credit, expected household contribution and selected-plan premium after the credit. It uses household MAGI, family size, region, benchmark Silver premium and selected-plan premium.
What are the 2026 income limits for Marketplace premium tax credits?
Under current 2026 rules, household income generally must be at least 100% and no more than 400% of the federal poverty line. Other tax, coverage and Marketplace eligibility requirements also apply.
Which federal poverty guidelines apply to 2026 Marketplace savings?
The 2025 HHS poverty guidelines apply to premium tax credit calculations for 2026 coverage because they were the most recently published guidelines when the 2026 open enrollment period began.
Why do I need the second-lowest-cost Silver plan premium?
The premium tax credit is based on the local second-lowest-cost Silver plan, also called the SLCSP or benchmark plan. The credit is not based directly on the selected plan or a national average.
How is the 2026 applicable percentage calculated?
The calculator uses the IRS 2026 table, ranging from 2.10% to 9.96% of household income. It applies the fixed percentage or linearly interpolates between the initial and final percentages inside the applicable FPL band.
Can a household above 400% FPL get a premium tax credit in 2026?
Generally no under the rules currently in effect for 2026. The temporary enhanced credits that removed the 400% FPL ceiling ended on December 31, 2025.
Can a household below 100% FPL get Marketplace savings?
Generally no, but limited exceptions can apply. The household may qualify for Medicaid or CHIP depending on state rules, immigration status, age, pregnancy, disability and other circumstances.
Does an employer health plan affect premium tax credit eligibility?
Yes. Eligibility for affordable employer coverage that provides minimum value can block the premium tax credit for affected household members. The official affordability and minimum-value tests require employer-plan details.
Can the premium tax credit exceed the selected plan premium?
No. The credit applied to a plan cannot exceed the qualifying portion of that plan's premium. This calculator caps the estimate at the full selected-plan premium and does not separate nonessential benefits or tobacco surcharges.
Why must advance premium tax credits be reconciled?
Advance credits use projected income and household information. Form 8962 compares them with the allowed credit based on final tax information. Excess advance payments can require repayment with the federal tax return.
Methodology, Sources and Editorial Review
The calculator stores the official 2025 HHS poverty guidelines used for 2026 Marketplace savings and the 2026 IRS applicable-percentage bands. It calculates FPL percentage, interpolates within the applicable IRS band, derives the expected annual contribution, compares it with the entered benchmark premium and caps the credit at the entered selected-plan premium. Calculations run in your browser and do not request a name, Social Security number, address, Marketplace account or insurer login.
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-25, 2026 Applicable Percentage Table
- HealthCare.gov, Federal Poverty Level and 2026 Marketplace Savings
- HHS, 2025 Poverty Guidelines
- IRS, Eligibility for the Premium Tax Credit
- HealthCare.gov, Saving on Monthly Premiums
- IRS, Claiming and Reconciling Advance Premium Tax Credits
Read the Calculator Methodology, Editorial Policy and Corrections Policy.
Calculator version 1.0 | Fact-checked August 28, 2026 | Reviewed by the 1Dollars editorial team
Health, insurance and tax disclaimer: This calculator provides a general educational estimate. It is not an official Marketplace determination, insurance quote, enrollment recommendation, tax return calculation, legal opinion or medical advice. Premium tax credit eligibility and amounts depend on federal and state rules, final household income, tax filing, coverage offers, enrollment records, location, plan data and reconciliation. Verify the result with HealthCare.gov or your state Marketplace, the insurer and a qualified tax professional before making a coverage or financial decision.