What is the maximum income for ACA subsidies in 2024?

1. What “maximum income” historically meant: the 400% FPL cutoff

When the ACA’s original subsidy formula was applied, people with household income above 400% of the Federal Poverty Level were generally ineligible for premium tax credits — that is the historic “maximum” threshold referenced in many charts and guides ^{[1] [4]}. Practical examples used in 2024-era materials put the cutoff at about $58,320 for an individual and $120,000 for a family of four when describing 100%–400% FPL ranges for subsidy eligibility ^[1].

2. The temporary change: enhanced subsidies through 2025

Starting with the American Rescue Plan ^[5] and extended by later legislation, the enhanced premium tax credits removed the sharp 400% FPL “cliff” for 2021–2025. Under those rules, people with incomes above 400% FPL could still qualify for subsidies if the benchmark Silver plan premium would otherwise cost them more than a specified share of income; as a result many higher-income households received some subsidy ^{[2] [6]}. Multiple sources note that the enhanced credits effectively made subsidies available with no strict upper-income cutoff during 2021–2025 ^{[2] [6]}.

3. What applied to 2024 specifically

Guides and calculators for 2024 coverage commonly present the income band of 100%–400% FPL for standard subsidy charts while also noting the temporary removal of the 400% cutoff through 2025, which means 2024 enrollees could in many cases get credits above 400% FPL under the enhanced rules ^{[1] [4]}. Practical tables for 2024 often list the illustrative dollar ranges (e.g., $14,580–$58,320 for one person) tied to 100%–400% FPL while explicitly saying the subsidy cliff was eased through 2025 ^{[1] [4]}.

4. How the subsidy is actually calculated now (and why an exact “max” is tricky)

Under the enhanced approach used through 2025, eligibility and amounts are determined by comparing household MAGI to the cost of the benchmark (second-lowest-cost Silver) plan in the enrollee’s area; subsidies are provided if that benchmark would cost more than a defined percentage of income, meaning there is no single national dollar “maximum” that fits every enrollee ^[2]. HealthInsurance.org describes that from 2021–2025 the 400% cap “does not apply,” and that for 2026 the old 400% cap is expected to return unless Congress intervenes ^[2].

5. What will likely change after 2025

Analysts and policy sites warn that unless Congress extends the enhanced tax credits, the 400% FPL income limit will return in 2026 and higher-income enrollees who benefited from the enhancements would lose eligibility ^{[2] [3] [6]}. KFF and other observers have modeled impacts showing many enrollees above 400% FPL would again face full premiums if the enhancements expire ^{[7] [6]}.

6. Caveats, states and practical next steps for consumers

State differences, the one‑year lag in FPL figures used for eligibility, and the fact subsidy amounts are reconciled on tax returns complicate any simple “maximum income” answer — for specific dollar thresholds consult the Marketplace or a subsidy calculator using your household size, local plan costs and MAGI estimates ^{[8] [9]}. Consumer-facing pages routinely recommend using the Marketplace calculator or KFF’s interactive tool to estimate eligibility because your local benchmark premium and your reported MAGI determine whether you get a credit ^[8].

Limitations: available sources do not give a single universal dollar “maximum” that applies to every person for 2024 because enhanced credits through 2025 removed the rigid 400% cutoff and subsidy calculations depend on local benchmark premiums and household MAGI ^{[2] [1]}.