26 U.S.C. § 35
Health insurance costs of eligible individuals
In the case of an individual, there shall be allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by subtitle A an amount equal to 72.5 percent of the amount paid by the taxpayer for coverage of the taxpayer and qualifying family members under qualified health insurance for eligible coverage months beginning in the taxable year.
In the case of a joint return, the requirements of paragraph (1)(A) shall be treated as met with respect to any month if at least 1 spouse satisfies such requirements.
Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the term “eligible TAA recipient” means, with respect to any month, any individual who is receiving for any day of such month a trade readjustment allowance under chapter 2 of title II of the Trade Act of 1974 or who would be eligible to receive such allowance if section 231 of such Act were applied without regard to subsection (a)(3)(B) of such section. An individual shall continue to be treated as an eligible TAA recipient during the first month that such individual would otherwise cease to be an eligible TAA recipient by reason of the preceding sentence.
If section 152(e) applies to any child with respect to any calendar year, in the case of any taxable year beginning in such calendar year, such child shall be treated as described in paragraph (1)(B) with respect to the custodial parent (as defined in section 152(e)(4)(A)) and not with respect to the noncustodial parent.
Each qualifying individual is guaranteed enrollment if the individual pays the premium for enrollment or provides a qualified health insurance costs credit eligibility certificate described in section 7527 and pays the remainder of such premium.
No pre-existing condition limitations are imposed with respect to any qualifying individual.
The total premium (as determined without regard to any subsidies) with respect to a qualifying individual may not be greater than the total premium (as so determined) for a similarly situated individual who is not a qualifying individual.
Benefits under the coverage are the same as (or substantially similar to) the benefits provided to similarly situated individuals who are not qualifying individuals.
Such individual is covered under any insurance which constitutes medical care (except insurance substantially all of the coverage of which is of excepted benefits described in section 9832(c)) under any health plan maintained by any employer (or former employer) of the taxpayer or the taxpayer’s spouse and at least 50 percent of the cost of such coverage (determined under section 4980B) is paid or incurred by the employer.
For purposes of subparagraphs (A) and (B), the cost of coverage shall be treated as paid or incurred by an employer to the extent the coverage is in lieu of a right to receive cash or other qualified benefits under a cafeteria plan (as defined in section 125(d)).
With respect to any taxable year, the amount which would (but for this subsection) be allowed as a credit to the taxpayer under subsection (a) shall be reduced (but not below zero) by the aggregate amount paid on behalf of such taxpayer under section 7527 for months beginning in such taxable year.
Amounts taken into account under subsection (a) shall not be taken into account in determining any deduction allowed under section 162(l) or 213.
Amounts distributed from an Archer MSA (as defined in section 220(d)) or from a health savings account (as defined in section 223(d)) shall not be taken into account under subsection (a).
No credit shall be allowed under this section to any individual with respect to whom a deduction under section 151 is allowable to another taxpayer for a taxable year beginning in the calendar year in which such individual’s taxable year begins.
Rules similar to the rules of paragraphs (3) and (4) of section 21(e) shall apply for purposes of this section.
For purposes of this section, rules similar to the rules of section 213(d)(6) shall apply with respect to any contract for qualified health insurance under which amounts are payable for coverage of an individual other than the taxpayer and qualifying family members.
Payments made by the Secretary on behalf of any individual under section 7527 (relating to advance payment of credit for health insurance costs of eligible individuals) shall be treated as having been made by the taxpayer on the first day of the month for which such payment was made.
Payments made by the taxpayer for eligible coverage months shall be treated as having been made by the taxpayer on the first day of the month for which such payment was made.
In the case of an assistance eligible individual who receives premium assistance for continuation coverage under section 9501(a)(1) of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 for any month during the taxable year, such individual shall not be treated as an eligible individual, a certified individual, or a qualifying family member for purposes of this section or section 7527 with respect to such month.
In the case of any month which would be an eligible coverage month with respect to an eligible individual but for subsection (f)(2)(A), such month shall be treated as an eligible coverage month with respect to such eligible individual solely for purposes of determining the amount of the credit under this section with respect to any qualifying family members of such individual (and any advance payment of such credit under section 7527). This subparagraph shall only apply with respect to the first 24 months after such eligible individual is first entitled to the benefits described in subsection (f)(2)(A).
In the case of the finalization of a divorce between an eligible individual and such individual’s spouse, such spouse shall be treated as an eligible individual for purposes of this section and section 7527 for a period of 24 months beginning with the date of such finalization, except that the only qualifying family members who may be taken into account with respect to such spouse are those individuals who were qualifying family members immediately before such finalization.
This section shall not apply to any taxpayer for any eligible coverage month unless such taxpayer elects the application of this section for such month.
An eligible coverage month to which the election under paragraph (11) applies shall not be treated as a coverage month (as defined in section 36B(c)(2)) for purposes of section 36B with respect to the taxpayer.
The Secretary may prescribe such regulations and other guidance as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out this section, section 6050T, and section 7527.
The date of the enactment of the Trade Act of 2002, referred to in subsec. (b)(1)(B), is the date of enactment of Pub. L. 107–210, which was approved
The Trade Act of 1974, referred to in subsec. (c)(2), (3), is Pub. L. 93–618,
The date of the enactment of this paragraph, referred to in subsec. (c)(2)(B), probably means the date of enactment of Pub. L. 111–5, which amended par. (2) generally and which was approved
The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, referred to in subsecs. (c)(4)(B) and (e)(1)(F)(i), is Pub. L. 93–406,
Section 2744(c)(2) of the Public Health Service Act, referred to in subsec. (e)(1)(C), is classified to section 300gg–44(c)(2) of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare.
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, referred to in subsecs. (e)(1)(J) and (g)(12)(B)(i)(I), is Pub. L. 111–148,
The Social Security Act, referred to in subsec. (f)(2), is act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, 49 Stat. 620. Parts A and B of title XVIII of the Act are classified generally to parts A (§ 1395c et seq.) and B (§ 1395j et seq.), respectively, of subchapter XVIII of chapter 7 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. Titles XIX and XXI of the Act are classified generally to subchapters XIX (§ 1396 et seq.) and XXI (§ 1397aa et seq.), respectively, of chapter 7 of Title 42. Section 1928 of the Act is classified to section 1396s of Title 42. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 1305 of Title 42 and Tables.
Section 9501(a)(1) of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, referred to in subsec. (g)(9), is section 9501(a)(1) of Pub. L. 117–2, which is set out in a note under section 4980B of this title.
A prior section 35 was renumbered section 37 of this title.
Another prior section 35, acts Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 14;
2025—Subsec. (g)(12)(B)(ii). Pub. L. 119–21 substituted “then the amount determined under clause (i) shall be substituted for the amount determined under section 36B(f)(2)” for “then section 36B(f)(2)(B) shall be applied by substituting the amount determined under clause (i) for the amount determined under section 36B(f)(2)(A)”.
2021—Subsec. (g)(9). Pub. L. 117–2 amended par. (9) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (9) related to COBRA premium assistance.
2020—Subsec. (b)(1)(B). Pub. L. 116–260 substituted “
2019—Subsec. (b)(1)(B). Pub. L. 116–94 substituted “
2015—Subsec. (b)(1)(B). Pub. L. 114–27, § 407(a), substituted “before
Subsec. (e)(1)(J). Pub. L. 114–27, § 407(d)(2), inserted “(other than coverage enrolled in through an Exchange established under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act)” after “under individual health insurance”.
Pub. L. 114–27, § 407(d)(1), substituted “under individual health insurance. For purposes of” for “under individual health insurance if the eligible individual was covered under individual health insurance during the entire 30-day period that ends on the date that such individual became separated from the employment which qualified such individual for—
“(i) in the case of an eligible TAA recipient, the allowance described in subsection (c)(2),
“(ii) in the case of an eligible alternative TAA recipient, the benefit described in subsection (c)(3)(B), or
“(iii) in the case of any eligible PBGC pension recipient, the benefit described in subsection (c)(4)(B).
For purposes of”.
Subsec. (g)(11) to (13). Pub. L. 114–27, § 407(b), added pars. (11) and (12) and redesignated former par. (11) as (13).
2014—Subsec. (g)(9) to (11). Pub. L. 113–295, § 209(j)(3), amended directory language of Pub. L. 111–5, § 3001(a)(14)(A). See 2009 Amendment notes below.
2011—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 112–40, § 241(b)(1), substituted “72.5 percent” for “65 percent (80 percent in the case of eligible coverage months beginning before
Subsec. (b)(1)(B). Pub. L. 112–40, § 241(a), inserted “, and before
Subsec. (c)(2)(B). Pub. L. 112–40, § 241(b)(3)(A), struck out “and before
Subsec. (e)(1)(K). Pub. L. 112–40, § 241(b)(3)(B), substituted “Coverage” for “In the case of eligible coverage months beginning before
Subsec. (g)(10). Pub. L. 112–40, § 241(b)(3)(C), which directed amendment of par. (9) relating to continued qualification of family members after certain events by striking out “In the case of eligible coverage months beginning before
2010—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 111–344, § 111(a), substituted “
Subsec. (c)(2)(B). Pub. L. 111–344, § 113(a), substituted “
Subsec. (e)(1)(K). Pub. L. 111–344, § 117(a), substituted “
Subsec. (g)(9). Pub. L. 111–144 substituted “section 3001(a) of title III of division B of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009” for “section 3002(a) of the Health Insurance Assistance for the Unemployed Act of 2009”.
Subsec. (g)(10). Pub. L. 111–344, § 115(a), which directed amendment of par. (9) relating to continued qualification of family members after certain events by substituting “
2009—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 111–5, § 1899A(a)(1), inserted “(80 percent in the case of eligible coverage months beginning before
Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 111–5, § 1899C(a), amended par. (2) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “The term ‘eligible TAA recipient’ means, with respect to any month, any individual who is receiving for any day of such month a trade readjustment allowance under chapter 2 of title II of the Trade Act of 1974 or who would be eligible to receive such allowance if section 231 of such Act were applied without regard to subsection (a)(3)(B) of such section. An individual shall continue to be treated as an eligible TAA recipient during the first month that such individual would otherwise cease to be an eligible TAA recipient by reason of the preceding sentence.”
Subsec. (e)(1)(K). Pub. L. 111–5, § 1899G(a), added subpar. (K).
Subsec. (g)(9), (10). Pub. L. 111–5, § 3001(a)(14)(A), as amended by Pub. L. 113–295, § 209(j)(3), added par. (9) relating to COBRA premium assistance and redesignated former par. (9) relating to continued qualification of family members after certain events as (10). Former par. (10) relating to regulations redesignated (11).
Pub. L. 111–5, § 1899E(a), added par. (9) relating to continued qualification of family members after certain events and redesignated former par. (9) relating to regulations as (10).
Subsec. (g)(11). Pub. L. 111–5, § 3001(a)(14)(A), as amended by Pub. L. 113–295, § 209(j)(3), redesignated par. (10) relating to regulations as (11).
2007—Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 110–172 struck out “paragraph (2) or (4) of” before “section 152(e)” and substituted “(as defined in section 152(e)(4)(A))” for “(within the meaning of section 152(e)(1))”.
2004—Subsec. (g)(3). Pub. L. 108–311 amended heading and text of par. (3) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “Amounts distributed from an Archer MSA (as defined in section 220(d)) shall not be taken into account under subsection (a).”
Pub. L. 119–21, title VII, § 71305(c),
Pub. L. 117–2, title IX, § 9501(b)(3)(B),
Pub. L. 116–260, div. EE, title I, § 134(b),
Pub. L. 116–94, div. Q, title I, § 146(b),
Pub. L. 114–27, title IV, § 407(f),
Amendment by Pub. L. 113–295 effective as if included in the provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Tax Act of 2009, Pub. L. 111–5, div. B, title I, to which such amendment relates, see section 209(k) of Pub. L. 113–295, set out as a note under section 24 of this title.
Pub. L. 112–40, title II, § 241(c),
Pub. L. 111–344, title I, § 111(c),
Pub. L. 111–344, title I, § 113(b),
Pub. L. 111–344, title I, § 115(c),
Pub. L. 111–344, title I, § 117(b),
Pub. L. 111–144, § 3(c),
Except as otherwise provided and subject to certain applicability provisions, amendment by sections 1899A(a)(1), 1899C(a), 1899E(a), and 1899G(a) of Pub. L. 111–5 effective upon the expiration of the 90-day period beginning on
Pub. L. 111–5, div. B, title I, § 1899A(b),
Pub. L. 111–5, div. B, title I, § 1899C(b),
Pub. L. 111–5, div. B, title I, § 1899E(c),
Pub. L. 111–5, div. B, title I, § 1899G(b),
Pub. L. 111–5, div. B, title III, § 3001(a)(14)(B),
Amendment by Pub. L. 108–311 effective as if included in section 1201 of Pub. L. 108–173, see section 401(b) of Pub. L. 108–311, set out as a note under section 26 of this title.
Pub. L. 107–210, div. A, title II, § 201(d),
Pub. L. 107–210, div. A, title II, § 203(f),
Pub. L. 114–27, title IV, § 407(g),
Pub. L. 111–5, div. B, title I, § 1899I,