Is this a 2016 or a 2017 tax year expense ?

[DavidAnnArbor]

I paid my January 2017 health insurance premium in December on the healthcare.gov marketplace website.
For tax purposes, would I include that premium that I paid in December as part of my 2016 Tax return, or do I include that premium payment as part of my 2017 tax return?

I received a form 1095a Healthcare Marketplace Statement for 2016. On the statement, the January 2017 subsidy is not on this form, it only includes subsidies for 2016.  So this makes me think that I should make that health insurance premium that I paid in December part of the 2017 tax return, so that it corresponds with the subsidies.

On the other hand I thought as a cash basis tax payer I have to include everything I actually spent in 2016 as part of the 2016 tax return.

Does anyone know?

[Ursus Major]

If I interpret the document at https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc502.html correctly, you must claim the expense in the year it was actually paid, so 2016 in your case.

[SeattleCPA]

You're a cash basis taxpayer, so you claim (try to claim?) the deduction on your 2016 return.

[DavidAnnArbor]

Ok then I guess it goes on the 2016 tax return. Then presumably if healthcare.gov still exists, then when I pay my Jan. 2018 premium in Dec. 2017, I will include that premium cost for my 2017 tax year.

[Prairie Stash]

Ok then I guess it goes on the 2016 tax return. Then presumably if healthcare.gov still exists, then when I pay my Jan. 2018 premium in Dec. 2017, I will include that premium cost for my 2017 tax year.

If you pay it in Jan. 2018 and then in Dec. 2018 (for 2019) can you double up? Is there any advantage to doubling up in a year?

[DavidAnnArbor]

Ok then I guess it goes on the 2016 tax return. Then presumably if healthcare.gov still exists, then when I pay my Jan. 2018 premium in Dec. 2017, I will include that premium cost for my 2017 tax year.

If you pay it in Jan. 2018 and then in Dec. 2018 (for 2019) can you double up? Is there any advantage to doubling up in a year?

It's however you work those numbers. I believe we are cash basis tax payers, so the year we pay it in, is the year we have to use it as an above the line deduction