Enter each person's business income, expenses and W-2 wages. The estimator builds MAGI step by step, shows where you sit against the 400% poverty-line cliff, and estimates your credit and net monthly premium.
You don't need to apply for coverage first. You'll need three numbers (and a fourth, optional one if you're already enrolled). Each field below has a “How do I find this?” link.
A good order: look up your prices, use this estimator to see how your income and deductions change your credit, then apply (or update your application) with your best honest estimate of income. If you've already applied, you can use this to double-check your numbers. Using it doesn't enroll you in anything, and your numbers stay in your browser. The one exception is the optional benchmark lookup, which sends only your ZIP code and ages (not your income).
Optional. This sends only your ZIP code and ages (not your income) to HealthCare.gov’s public plan data through my website, and nothing is saved. You can always skip it and type your own number below.
What it is: the monthly price of the second-lowest-cost Silver plan in your area, for everyone in your household who would be covered. The credit is based on this price, not on the plan you pick.
You don't need to apply first. Choose the case that fits you:
The full monthly price of the plan you have or are considering, before any credit. Find it in your Marketplace account's plan details, or on the plan's page when you browse plans. If the price shown is after a credit, look for the total or full premium.
This only applies if you're already enrolled and get part of your premium paid each month by a tax credit. Leave it blank if you haven't enrolled yet, or if you chose not to take the credit in advance.
If you updated your income estimate during the year, use your current amount. It may have changed.
Menu names change. If a label doesn't match, look for “see plans,” “preview plans,” or “window shopping.” Stuck? free local help can find it with you.
Box 1 of a W-2 already leaves out pre-tax 401(k)/403(b) deferrals and HSA contributions made through payroll. Enter Box 1 and don't list those contributions again in step 3, or they'd be subtracted twice.
Retirement: SEP-IRA, solo 401(k) (employee and employer sides) and deductible traditional IRA. 2026 limits: $24,500 401(k) employee deferral, $7,500 IRA (more if 50+). A traditional IRA deduction can phase out if you're also covered by a workplace plan. HSA: only with an HSA-eligible plan; the limit for your coverage type is shown under each HSA box. Other adjustments: student loan interest, educator expenses and similar Schedule 1 items. Verify limits with the IRS before relying on them.
The deduction can't be more than your net business profit, minus the half-SE-tax deduction and self-employed retirement contributions from that business. This estimator adds those amounts for both people. If the plan runs through only one spouse's business, the true cap can be lower. For an S corporation owner, the cap is the W-2 salary instead, and the premiums must be reported on that W-2 (Box 1) for the deduction to be allowed. No SEHI deduction is allowed for any month you could have joined an employer-subsidized plan through your own job, your spouse's, a dependent's, or a child under 27's, even if you turned it down. The estimator assumes that wasn't the case for any month. Treat it as a close estimate, not the Form 7206 result.
Current law (as of November 12, 2026): the enhanced subsidies that were in place through 2025 have expired, and I'm not aware of any law that restores them. Congress has debated extending them, but as far as I can tell it hasn't become law. Above 400% of the poverty line, current law gives no credit. Check the latest news before you enroll.
Repaying excess credit: starting with 2026 tax returns, there's no cap on repaying excess advance credit. If your income ends up higher than you estimated, you may owe the difference. Update your Marketplace income estimate during the year if it changes.
Married filing separately: generally not eligible for the credit. The IRS allows a narrow exception for victims of domestic abuse or spousal abandonment (see Publication 974).
Figures used: applicable percentages from IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-25 (2.10% below 133% of the poverty line, rising to 9.96% from 300–400%); 2025 HHS poverty guidelines (used for 2026 coverage); 2026 Social Security wage base $184,500 (reduced by each person's W-2 wages). This estimator covers the 2026 coverage year. A separate 2027 estimator uses the updated figures.
Sources: Rev. Proc. 2025-25 · IRS Premium Tax Credit Q&A · IRS: repayment caps eliminated · IRS Publication 974 · SSA wage base · IRS 2026 retirement limits
Last updated November 12, 2026. These rules change often, so check the sources below before you decide.
A planning estimate, not a substitute for Form 8962, Form 7206 or Schedule SE. Not tax or legal advice.