ACA Marketplace Subsidy Calculator

2026

Estimate your Affordable Care Act premium tax credit based on income, household size, and plan level.

By Konstantin Iakovlev · Updated September 2026 · Source: HealthCare.gov

$
Plan Metal Level

Income as % FPL

251%

Monthly Subsidy

$218.03

Annual Subsidy

$2,616.38

Subsidy Details

Income as % of FPL251%
Expected Contribution Rate8.5%
Monthly Expected Contribution$281.97
Benchmark Silver Premium$500.00
Monthly Subsidy (Tax Credit)$218.03
Annual Subsidy$2,616.38

Plan Comparison (Monthly After Subsidy)

Bronze Plan$141.97 / mo
Silver Plan$281.97 / mo
Gold Plan$401.97 / mo
Platinum Plan$506.97 / mo

Use the ACA Marketplace Subsidy Calculator above to calculate your results. Enter your values and see instant results — all calculations run in your browser.

Disclaimer: This calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, financial, or legal advice. Results are estimates based on the information you provide and current rates. Always consult a qualified tax professional or financial advisor for advice specific to your situation.

How It Works

The premium tax credit can take a real bite out of what you pay each month for marketplace coverage, and this tool estimates your 2026 credit so you can see how far it stretches. The rules changed with this plan year: the enhanced subsidies that the American Rescue Plan created and the Inflation Reduction Act extended ran out at the end of 2025, so 2026 is calculated under the original section 36B rules, with the 400% federal poverty level eligibility cliff back in place.

Your Premium Tax Credit is set by comparing the benchmark Silver plan in your area, defined as the second-lowest cost Silver plan, against a share of your household income. That share comes from the applicable percentage table, which the IRS indexes each year; for 2026, under Rev. Proc. 2025-25, it starts at 2.10% of income below 133% of the poverty level and climbs to 9.96% for anyone from 300% to 400%. There is no longer a 0% tier at the bottom or an 8.5% cap at the top, and above 400% of the poverty level there is no credit at all.

Figures here are estimates, and your real subsidy can shift with verified income, the particular Silver plan you select, and changes in household size over the course of the year. Reporting income changes to the Marketplace as they happen keeps your credit accurate and helps you avoid surprises when you file.

Example: A Family's 2026 Subsidy Estimation

  1. 1 A family of four (two adults, two children) with an estimated 2026 Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) of $85,000 and a 40-year-old primary enrollee.
  2. 2 Measured against the 2026 poverty guideline of $33,000 for a household of four, $85,000 is 258% of the federal poverty level. The 2026 applicable percentage table puts that band between 8.44% and 9.96%, which works out to 8.67% at their exact position: $85,000 x 8.67% = $7,370 a year, or $614 a month.
  3. 3 The calculator's benchmark Silver premium for a household of this size with a 40-year-old enrollee is $1,325 a month. Estimated monthly Premium Tax Credit: $1,325 - $614 = $711.
  4. 4 The family pays $614 a month for the benchmark Silver plan, before any cost-sharing reductions. Two things would wipe the credit out: a benchmark premium below their expected contribution, or income above 400% of the poverty level, which for a household of four in 2026 is $132,000. Crossing that line ends eligibility entirely rather than tapering it, because the enhanced credits that suspended the cliff expired after 2025.

Source: HealthCare.gov · Last updated: September 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the ACA premium tax credit calculated?
The credit is based on your household income relative to the federal poverty level (FPL). It caps what you pay for a benchmark Silver plan at a percentage of income, which for 2026 runs from 2.10% below 133% FPL to 9.96% between 300% and 400% FPL under Rev. Proc. 2025-25. The credit covers the difference between that capped contribution and the benchmark premium.
What income qualifies for ACA subsidies in 2026?
Subsidies are available for incomes between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level. Against the 2026 guidelines that is $15,960 to $63,840 for a single person, and $33,000 to $132,000 for a household of four. The enhanced subsidies that removed the 400% cliff expired at the end of 2025 and were not extended, so a dollar over the line now costs you the entire credit.
Do I have to repay ACA subsidies if my income increases?
Potentially. If your actual income exceeds your estimated income, you may need to repay some or all of the advance premium tax credit when filing taxes. Repayment caps apply for incomes under 400% FPL, but there is no cap above 400% FPL.

You might also need

HSA Calculator 2026 — Contribution Limits & Triple Tax Savings

Calculate HSA tax savings, investment growth, and projected balance at retirement. See the triple tax advantage in action. Based on 2026 IRS contribution limits.

BMI Calculator — Body Mass Index, Category & Healthy Range

Calculate your Body Mass Index (BMI) from height and weight. See your BMI category, healthy weight range, and what it means. Free, instant results with chart.

Calorie Calculator (TDEE)

Calculate daily calories for maintenance, weight loss, or gain using the Mifflin-St Jeor equation and your activity level.