Independent form guide. BrieflyGo is not affiliated with or endorsed by IRS, USCIS, SSA, DOL, or any U.S. government agency. Official forms are sourced from public government websites.
Official form guide
Form 8885: Health Coverage Tax Credit
IRS Form 8885 is used to elect and calculate the amount of the Health Coverage Tax Credit for self-employed individuals. The credit expires at the end of 2021.
Need help with Form 8885?
Open it in the AI Editor for field guidance, checks, and PDF export.
Need help? AI Editor guides you through every field of Form 8885.
Start filling →Form Overview
IRS Form 8885 - Health Coverage Tax Credit
IRS Form 8885 is used to elect and calculate the amount of the Health Coverage Tax Credit for self-employed individuals. The credit expires at the end of 2021.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1Do not complete Form 8885 if you can be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s 2021 tax return.
- 2Failing to check boxes on line 1 for all subsequent eligible coverage months after the initial election month.
- 3Not including any amounts paid to 'US Treasury-HCTC' on line 2 if they were included elsewhere (like Form 14095).
- 4Omitting required documentation that supports the premiums listed on line 2, leading to credit disallowance.
- 5Claiming the HCTC for a month when you received a 100% COBRA premium reduction from your former employer or administrator.
Plain English
This form lets you claim the Health Coverage Tax Credit if you are self-employed or qualify through a family member. By completing Form 8885, you tell the IRS which months you want to receive this tax benefit for your health insurance costs in 2021. This credit can be used when filling out other parts of your tax return.
Submission Date
- Filing date: 2021-12-06 22:10:46
- Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
- Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.
AI co-pilot
Fill it faster. Catch mistakes before you file.
What this form is for
- Use this form when electing to take and calculating the amount of your Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC).
- Do not use Form 8885 if you can be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s 2021 tax return.
- Check Form 14095 instead when claiming a reimbursement for an HCTC month not checked on line 1.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Received 100% COBRA premium reduction
Do not check any boxes on line 1 for the months receiving this reduction, as you are ineligible to claim HCTC for those months.
✓ Check Part I of Form 8885 first.
Paid an advance monthly payment outside of a checked month
Must reduce the amount on Form 8885, line 5 by the total of these payments.
✓ Complete the Excess Advance HCTC Repayment Worksheet before filling out Line 5.
Excess Advance HCTC Repayment Worksheet
Claiming credit for months not listed on Form 1099-H
You must provide documentation or use Form 14095 to account for those unpaid/unclaimed monthly benefits.
✓ Ensure you complete the Excess Advance HCTC Repayment Worksheet if applicable.
Deadline or filing window
The election to take the Health Coverage Tax Credit for 2021 must be made no later than the due date (including extensions) of your tax return. The credit itself expires at the end of 2021, meaning it cannot be claimed for coverage months beginning in 2022.
Checklist
What you need before filling it out
Purpose
Elect and figure amount of HCTC · Form 8885
Eligibility Rule
Must be true as of the first day of the elected month · Part I, Line 1
COBRA Subsidy Rule
Do not check any boxes on line 1 if you received 100% reduction · Instructions p.1
Advance Payment Repayment
Reduce Line 5 by total payments for months *not* checked on Line 1 · Excess Advance HCTC Repayment Worksheet
Proof of Payment
Canceled checks, Bank statements, Credit card statements, or Money orders · Instructions p.6
Attachment Requirement
Attach Form 8885 to Form 1040, 1040-SR, 1040-NR, 1040-SS, or 1040-PR · Form p.1
Before you submit
- 1Verify that you are not claimed as a dependent on someone else’s 2021 tax return (Caution box).
- 2Check the box corresponding to the first month in your tax year you elect to take the HCTC (Part I, Line 1).
- 3Confirm all statements regarding eligibility are true as of the first day of that elected month.
- 4If applicable, complete the Excess Advance HCTC Repayment Worksheet and accurately enter the result on Form 8885, line 5.
- 5Ensure you have proof of payment for every month claimed on line 2 (e.g., canceled checks).
- 6Verify that your documentation specifies ineligible amounts if your premium includes dental or vision coverage.
- 7Attach the completed Form 8885 to the appropriate main tax return form.
How to file this form
- 1Check the box on Part I, line 1, indicating the first month you elect to take the Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC).
- 2If necessary, complete the Excess Advance HCTC Repayment Worksheet and enter the resulting repayment amount on Form 8885, line 5.
- 3List all months for which you are claiming the credit on Form 8885, line 2, ensuring to exclude months where you received a 100% COBRA premium reduction or advance payment benefit.
- 4Attach proof of payment (such as canceled checks) for every month claimed on line 2; if your plan doesn't provide bills, attach enrollment documents specifying ineligible amounts.
- 5Attach the completed Form 8885 to your main tax return form (e.g., Form 1040).
- 6Send or electronically file the entire package.
Known limitations
- 1The Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC) cannot be claimed for coverage months beginning in 2022 because the HCTC expires at the end of 2021.
- 2If a filer received a 100% COBRA premium reduction from their former employer or COBRA administrator, they should not check any boxes on line 1 of Form 8885 for the coverage months that received such a reduction.
- 3A filer cannot claim the HCTC if they can be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s 2021 tax return.
- 4If completing the Self - Employed Health Insurance Deduction Worksheet and being an eligible TAA, ATAA, RTAA recipient, or PBGC payee, the amount for line 1 of that worksheet must not include amounts from Form 8885, line 4, nor any qualified health insurance coverage premiums paid to 'US Treasury-HCTC' for months where the advance monthly payment program benefit was received.
Field map
Compact field-by-field guide
Entity Info
1 items
Name and taxpayer ID of the entity claiming the credit.
Credit Info
1 items
Type of credit or incentive being claimed.
Calculation
2 items
The base amount used to calculate the credit.
Calculated credit amount after applying formulas and limitations.
Certification
1 items
Detailed breakdown supporting the credit calculation.
Signatures
1 items
Sign and date the form.
Almost done reviewing the fields?
Fillable formOpen in Editor->The current edition is 20/21, and instructions are available at IRS.gov/Form8885 for the latest information. The source notes that the Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC) expires at the end of 2021.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Edition date — confirm the revision date reads 20/21.
- Fee — Not stated in the official source.
- Mailing address — Not stated in the official source (but attach to Form 1040, 1040-SR, 1040-NR, 1040-SS, or 1040-PR).
- Signature — Not explicitly required on this page excerpt, but signing is generally required for filing.
- Expiration date — confirm the HCTC expires at the end of 2021.
Quick Facts
Downloads
After you file
- 1Attach Form 8885 to Form 1040, 1040-SR, 1040-NR, 1040-SS, or 1040-PR.
- 2Keep a copy of the completed Form 8885 for records.
- 3If an advance payment was made, attach required documents listed in the instructions to support any amounts included on line 2 of Form 8885; failure to do so may disallow the credit.
- 4When using the Self - Employed Health Insurance Deduction Worksheet, if you complete Form 8962, line 27 (Excess advance payment of PTC), determine Form 8962, line 28 by adding the amount from Form 8885, line 5 (if any) to the applicable repayment limitation provided in the instructions for Form 8962, line 28.
- 5If instructed to complete the Excess Advance HCTC Repayment Worksheet for Form 8885, line 5, and line 1 of that worksheet is greater than or equal to line 2 of that worksheet, enter the amount on Form 8885, line 5, into Form 1040, 1040-SR, or 1040-NR, line 16 (next to box 3), and check box 3.
Sources
- SRCInstructions p.1 — The Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC) expires at the end of 2021, meaning it cannot be claimed for coverage months beginning in 2022.
- SRCInstructions p.1 — If a filer received a 100% COBRA premium reduction from their former employer or COBRA administrator, they should not check any boxes on line 1 of Form 8885 for the corresponding coverage months.
- SRCForm p.1 — Do not complete Form 8885 if you can be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s 2021 tax return.
- SRCInstructions p.1 — To use Form 8885, one must elect and figure the amount of their HCTC; it is used for Self - Employed Health Insurance Deduction Worksheet purposes.
- SRCForm p.1 — On line 2 of Form 8885, do not include any insurance premiums paid to 'US Treasury-HCTC' or advance monthly payments shown on Form 1099-H or premiums reimbursed via Form 14095.
- SRCInstructions p.3 — When completing the Self - Employed Health Insurance Deduction Worksheet, if a filer is an eligible TAA/ATAA/RTAA/PBGC recipient, they must complete Form 8885 before finishing that worksheet.
Common confusion points
When should I check Line 1 on Form 8885 to start claiming the Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC)?
The form requires checking the box for the first month in the tax year that the filer elects to take the HCTC, and all statements must be true as of the first day of that month.
→ Verify that the month selected is indeed the very first month you elect the credit.
Do I have to repay the HCTC if I received a 100% COBRA premium reduction?
If the filer received a 100% COBRA premium reduction from their former employer or COBRA administrator, they must not check any boxes on Line 1 for the coverage months where that reduction occurred.
→ Check the instructions regarding 'COBRA premium reductions' and ensure no box is checked for those specific months.
If I am an eligible TAA recipient, do I still need to complete Form 8885 before filling out the Self-Employed Health Insurance Deduction Worksheet?
Yes, if a filer was an eligible trade adjustment assistance (TAA) recipient, alternative TAA (ATAA) recipient, reemployment TAA (RTAA) recipient, or Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) payee, they must complete Form 8885 before completing that worksheet.
→ Confirm the status of being a TAA/ATAA/RTAA/PBGC payee and ensure this form is completed first.
What amounts should I *not* include on Line 2 of Form 8885?
A filer must not include any amounts paid to “US Treasury-HCTC,” any advance monthly payments shown on Form 1099-H, or any insurance premiums for which the HCTC was reimbursed by filing Form 14095.
→ Double-check Line 2 against these three exclusions before entering totals.
How long can I receive the Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC) for a family member?
A filer can receive the HCTC for qualifying family members' health plan premiums for eligible coverage months up to 24 months from the month they enrolled in Medicare, or until the first coverage month beginning on or after January 1, 2022.
→ Check your enrollment date and ensure the claim period does not exceed these limits.
If both spouses are recipients of the Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC), how should they file Form 8885?
If both spouses are recipients, a filer must complete a separate Form 8885 for each spouse.
→ Review Line 1 on Form 8885 to confirm if multiple forms are needed based on spousal status.
Where does the Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC) expire?
The HCTC expires at the end of 2021, meaning it cannot be claimed for coverage months beginning in 2022.
→ Confirm that the tax year being filed is 2021 or earlier to utilize the credit.
Workflow map
Related forms and next steps
Before
Current
After
Often used with
⚠ If something goes wrong
- Excess Advance HCTC Repayment Worksheet (Used when instructed to complete it for Form 8885, line 5)
Questions about IRS Form 8885
What is IRS Form 8885 used for?
This form lets you claim the Health Coverage Tax Credit if you are self-employed or qualify through a family member. By completing Form 8885, you tell the IRS which months you want to receive this tax benefit for your health insurance costs in 2021. This credit can be used when filling out other parts of your tax return.
Who must file IRS Form 8885?
An eligible individual must file IRS Form 8885 if they were an eligible TAA, ATAA, or RTAA recipient or PBGC payee in 2021, or if they are a qualifying family member of such a person. They also must not be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s 2021 tax return.
What information does IRS Form 8885 require?
Part I allows the filer to elect to take the Health Coverage Tax Credit by checking boxes for eligible months. Lines 1 through 5 collect details, including the recipient's social security number and the total amount of Archer MSA or health savings accounts distributions used to pay for coverage.
When is IRS Form 8885 due?
For the tax year 2021, the election must be made no later than the due date (including extensions) of your tax return. The Health Coverage Tax Credit itself expires at the end of 2021.
Where do I file IRS Form 8885?
The form attaches to Form 1040, 1040-SR, 1040-NR, 1040-SS, or 1040-PR. The instructions are available at IRS.gov/Form8885.
How do I complete IRS Form 8885?
First, complete Part I by checking the box on line 1 for the first eligible coverage month you elect. Then, fill in lines 2 through 5 with specific financial data regarding your premiums and account distributions. The recipient's social security number must be provided before beginning.
What happens if IRS Form 8885 is filed incorrectly?
If the filer does not attach required documents for amounts included on line 2, the credit will be disallowed. Furthermore, if a person receives a 100% COBRA premium reduction, they must not check any boxes on line 1 for that month to avoid needing to repay the advance payment.
When should I check Line 1 on Form 8885 to start claiming the Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC)?
The form requires checking the box for the first month in the tax year that the filer elects to take the HCTC, and all statements must be true as of the first day of that month. Verify that the month selected is indeed the very first month you elect the credit.
Source transparency
Copyright & Licensing - US Government Forms
BrieflyGo links to and explains official public form sources. We are not a government agency, and this page is for general form guidance, not legal advice.
Understand the agreement before you sign it.
Review risky clauses in plain English, fix the document, and keep it moving toward signature.