06/09/2026
Most people have never heard of Form 1095-A until their return gets rejected.
If you got health insurance through the marketplace last year, this form is not optional. It reconciles the premium tax credit, which means the IRS uses it to settle up on any subsidies you received throughout the year. File without it and the return bounces. The refund waits. The fix takes longer than it should have.
The form comes from the marketplace, not your employer, and not the IRS. If you switched plans, had a gap in coverage, or added or removed a family member mid-year, make sure the information on it actually matches what happened before you file.
One form. Real consequences if it is missing.
Check your marketplace account before you sit down with your preparer.