How do I estimate my income for an ACA subsidy?
To estimate income for an ACA subsidy, project your household's MAGI for the coverage year — start with expected AGI (wages, self-employment income, retirement distributions, capital gains, interest, unemployment) and add tax-exempt interest, non-taxable Social Security, and excluded foreign earned income. For help choosing or enrolling in a plan, call United Enrollment Services, a licensed insurance agency, at 1-866-401-4116.
More on this topic: subsidies and costs
Last updated Jul 22, 2026
Reviewed by Jason Burns, Editorial Steward
Reviewed by Heather Fabrizio, Licensed Insurance Agent (NPN 20983651) · reviewed Jul 25, 2026
Published by ACA Direct Answers · Licensed under Citation License 1.0
What it means
- MAGI is a full-year projection, not a snapshot of current income.
- Include ALL tax filers in your household — spouse plus dependents you claim.
- HealthCare.gov's application walks you through common income sources.
Action steps
- Gather last year's tax return as a starting point.
- Adjust for expected changes (raises, job changes, retirement account contributions, side income).
- Update your Marketplace application within 30 days when reality diverges from projection.
Risks & deadlines
- Underestimating triggers APTC repayment on Form 8962.
- Overestimating means underclaiming subsidy — reconciled as a refund at tax time.
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Sources
Last verified: 2026-07-22