How often can eligible individuals claim the premium tax credit?

Eligible individuals can claim the premium tax credit every year when filing their taxes. This tax credit is designed to assist people in affording health insurance coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace. Since the credit is based on the individual's or family's estimated annual income and household size, it is recalculated each year when tax returns are submitted, allowing individuals to claim the credit annually if they meet the eligibility requirements.

Open enrollment periods pertain to the time frame during which individuals can enroll in or make changes to their health insurance plans; they do not dictate the frequency with which the premium tax credit can be claimed. Furthermore, limiting the claim to once in a lifetime or once every five years would not align with the provision of the Affordable Care Act, which establishes the premium tax credit as an annual benefit tied to the annual tax filing process.