If this is your first time applying for premium tax credits, then yes. There is no requirement to have filed a tax return for any prior year to qualify for premium tax credits.

Assuming you are part of one application, the members of your household can enroll in separate plans in a health insurance Marketplace.

Start by applying for coverage online at HealthCare.gov, via paper application by mail, or by contacting the Marketplace call center and applying over the phone. Applying online is likely the fastest of these options. To apply online, you will need to create a secure personal account with a login ID and password.

That’s up to you.

Premium tax credits reduce your premium for most Marketplace plans. The amount of the tax credit you may receive depends on your income and the cost of Marketplace health plans in your area. The Marketplace will determine the expected contribution you are required to pay toward the premium for a mid-range (Silver) benchmark plan.

You can only apply the premium tax credit to Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum plans purchased through the Marketplace. Premium tax credits cannot be applied to Catastrophic plans or to stand-alone dental plans sold on the Marketplace or to any plans sold outside of the Marketplace.

Premium tax credits are available to U.S. citizens and certain lawfully present immigrants who purchase coverage in the Marketplace and who have income at least as high as 100% of the federal poverty level (FPL) ($15,650 for a single adult or $32,150 for a family of four in 2026).