Estimate the premium tax credit you could get for Marketplace health insurance. Enter your household income (or % of the federal poverty level), household size and the price of the benchmark silver plan to see your monthly subsidy, your expected contribution and what your chosen plan would cost after the credit.
Last updated:
Household
Enter income as
$
Expected modified adjusted gross income of everyone in your tax household.
% FPL
people
Yourself, spouse and tax dependents.
The enhanced credits ran through 2025; pick them to compare or if Congress extends them.
Premiums
$/ mo
Monthly price of the second-lowest-cost silver plan for your whole household, from HealthCare.gov or your state marketplace.
$/ mo
Enter your values to see the result.
Advertisement
Advertisement
How to use the ACA Subsidy Calculator
Enter your household income (expected MAGI for the coverage year), or switch to % of the poverty level.
Set your household size and where you live (48 states, Alaska or Hawaii).
Look up the benchmark premium: the second-lowest-cost silver plan for your household on HealthCare.gov or your state exchange.
Optionally enter the premium of the plan you want to see what you would pay after the credit.
Read your monthly subsidy, the steps, and the table of subsidies at other incomes.
The premium tax credit formula
Monthly subsidy = (benchmark premium × 12 − household income × applicable percentage) ÷ 12, never below $0 and never more than the premium of the plan you pick.
% of FPL = household MAGI ÷ poverty guideline for your household size × 100.
Applicable percentage comes from the IRS table and rises in a straight line within each income band.
Benchmark = the second-lowest-cost silver plan (SLCSP) for your household and ZIP code.
Example: a household of 2 earning $45,000 in the 48 states is at $45,000 ÷ $21,150 = 212.8% FPL. Under the 2026 rules the applicable percentage is about 7.07%, so the household is expected to pay $3,181 a year ($265 a month). With a $1,100 benchmark the credit is $13,200 − $3,181 = $10,019 a year, about $835 a month.
Applicable percentage table
Income (% of FPL)
Standard rules, 2026
Enhanced rules, 2021–2025
Below 133%
2.10%
0%
133% – 150%
3.14% – 4.19%
0%
150% – 200%
4.19% – 6.60%
0% – 2%
200% – 250%
6.60% – 8.44%
2% – 4%
250% – 300%
8.44% – 9.96%
4% – 6%
300% – 400%
9.96%
6% – 8.5%
Above 400%
No credit
8.5%
Standard 2026 percentages are from IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-25. The enhanced schedule came from the American Rescue Plan Act and was extended through 2025 by the Inflation Reduction Act. Both are editable choices in the calculator so you can compare them.
HHS poverty guidelines used
Guidelines
48 states & DC
Alaska
Hawaii
2025 (2026 coverage), 1 person
$15,650
$19,550
$17,990
2025, each additional person
+$5,500
+$6,880
+$6,330
2024 (2025 coverage), 1 person
$15,060
$18,810
$17,310
2024, each additional person
+$5,380
+$6,730
+$6,190
Tips
Income near 400% FPL? A pre-tax 401(k), traditional IRA or HSA contribution lowers MAGI and can keep you under the cliff.
Below about 138% FPL, check Medicaid first in states that expanded it.
An offer of affordable employer coverage usually makes you ineligible for the credit, even if you decline it.
The credit equals the premium of the benchmark plan (the second-lowest-cost silver plan available to your household) minus your expected contribution. Your expected contribution is a set percentage of your household income that rises with income as a percentage of the federal poverty level. If the result is negative, the credit is $0.
What is the benchmark plan or SLCSP?
SLCSP stands for second-lowest-cost silver plan. It is the reference plan used to size your subsidy, priced for your ages and location. You can use the credit on any metal level plan; if you choose a cheaper plan you pay less, and if you choose a pricier plan you pay the difference.
What is the 400% FPL subsidy cliff?
Under the original ACA rules, which apply again for 2026 now that the enhanced credits expired after 2025, households with income above 400% of the federal poverty level get no premium tax credit at all. From 2021 through 2025 the enhanced rules removed that cap and limited the benchmark plan to 8.5% of income instead.
Which poverty guidelines are used for my subsidy?
Marketplace subsidies use the HHS poverty guidelines published before open enrollment, so 2026 coverage uses the 2025 guidelines ($15,650 for one person in the 48 states plus $5,500 for each additional person). Alaska and Hawaii have higher guidelines.
What income counts for the ACA subsidy?
Modified adjusted gross income (MAGI): your adjusted gross income plus untaxed foreign income, tax-exempt interest and non-taxable Social Security benefits, for everyone in the tax household. Contributions to a traditional IRA, HSA or pre-tax 401(k) lower it.
What happens if my income turns out different from my estimate?
Advance payments of the credit are reconciled on your tax return with Form 8962. If your income was higher than estimated you may have to repay some or all of the extra credit; if it was lower you can get the difference back as a refund. Report income changes to the Marketplace during the year to reduce surprises.
Is this the official subsidy amount?
No. It is an estimate using the published formula. Your exact credit depends on your benchmark premium, final income, eligibility for other coverage such as employer insurance or Medicaid, and the rules in force for your coverage year. Check HealthCare.gov or your state marketplace for the official figure.
Are all the tools on FreeToolCabin tested for quality and accuracy?
Yes! Every tool on our site undergoes automated Q/A testing in real browser environments to ensure high precision, correct output, and zero errors. If you happen to spot a bug or have a suggestion, please contact us at [email protected] and our team will review it right away.