Florida has no state exchange, so the federal Marketplace is the route, and the open enrollment window for 2027 coverage runs November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027. The important detail for anyone self-employed is that the premium tax credit is calculated from the income you expect to earn during the coverage year, not from last year’s tax return.
| Your situation | Where you buy | Premium tax credit |
|---|---|---|
| Self-employed, no employees | Individual Marketplace | Yes, if income qualifies |
| Self-employed plus a spouse or family member only | Individual Marketplace | Yes, if income qualifies |
| At least one employee who is not family or an owner | SHOP Marketplace may be available | Small business tax credit instead |
How it works
You apply as an individual or a household, estimate your income for the year, and the Marketplace tells you which plans you qualify for and what credit applies. If your household income falls between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level you get a premium tax credit, which for 2026 guidelines means roughly $15,960 to $63,840 for one person. Below 250% a Silver plan also carries cost-sharing reductions that lower the deductible, which is why Silver is often the right metal level for a self-employed household even when Bronze looks cheaper.
What changes it
Variable income is the real complication, and HealthCare.gov acknowledges it directly: when you are self-employed, it can be hard to estimate your income for the coming year. Guess too low and you repay part of the credit at tax time. Guess too high and you pay more each month than you needed to and get it back later. Neither is a disaster, but a careful estimate is worth real money, and a good year can push you over the 400% line where the credit disappears entirely.
What to do next
Build the income estimate from your own books before you shop, using net profit after business expenses rather than gross receipts, because deductible business expenses lower the figure the credit is calculated from. Then compare plans on the doctors and prescriptions you actually use. If you prepare taxes and buy coverage in the same conversation, the estimate and the return end up consistent, which is the point.
Read the full guide: The South Florida self-employed tax guide
Related questions
Do I need an LLC or employees to get coverage?
No. A sole proprietor with no employees buys through the individual Marketplace like anyone else.
Is my income gross or net?
The figure used is based on your net self-employment income after deductible business expenses, not your gross receipts.
What if I hire someone?
If you have at least one employee who is not a spouse, family member or owner, the SHOP Marketplace for small businesses may be available to you.
Sources
- Health coverage for self-employed people — HealthCare.gov (CMS) · read 2026-10-13
- Annual Update of the HHS Poverty Guidelines — U.S. Department of Health and Human Services · 2026-01-15 · read 2026-10-12
This page explains published rules and figures, with the source for each one. It is not advice about your own situation.