Married on Obamacare: how marriage changes your subsidy

Updated November 2026

Once you're married, the Marketplace looks at your combined household income. Two incomes that were each fine on their own can push a couple over the limit, and for 2026 there is no cap on what you repay.

The 2026 limit for two

For a household of two in the 48 contiguous states, the subsidy stops at about $84,600 of income (400% of the poverty line). Above that, there's no credit at all for the year. See the full table by household size.

You generally must file jointly

Married couples who file separately generally can't claim the premium tax credit, and any advance payments must be repaid. There are narrow exceptions for victims of domestic abuse or spousal abandonment.

Got married during the year?

Form 8962 has an alternative calculation for the year of marriage that can reduce the repayment for the months before the wedding. It's worth running if one or both of you had Marketplace coverage before you married.

Report the change

Tell the Marketplace within 30 days of getting married so your advance payments are based on your new household. The longer you wait, the more you could owe.

Related guides

This guide is general information, not tax advice. Clawback Check is not affiliated with HealthCare.gov, any state Marketplace, or the IRS.