Which IRS form is needed to apply for Marketplace premium tax credits?

To apply for Marketplace premium tax credits, IRS Form 8962 is required. This form is specifically designed to calculate the premium tax credit that individuals or families receive to help reduce the cost of health insurance purchased through the Health Insurance Marketplace. It is used to reconcile the amount of advance premium tax credits received during the year with the actual premium tax credit amount that is calculated based on final income and household size reported on your tax return.

The other forms mentioned serve different purposes: IRS Form 1040 is the standard individual income tax return form used to report income, calculate taxes owed, and establish tax refund claims. IRS Form 1095 provides information about health coverage, but it does not directly assist in applying for premium tax credits. IRS Form W-2 is issued by employers to report wages and tax withholdings for employees and does not relate to the premium tax credit calculations. Thus, Form 8962 is the appropriate form for claiming and reconciling the Marketplace premium tax credits.