Everything I've heard about the Affordable Care Act says if it turns out you overestimated your income (but still received subsidies), you won't have to pay back anything. (In fact, depending on the numbers, you may receive more as a refund.)

However, what if you overestimated, thinking you'd earn just above the Federal Poverty Level ($12,000) and instead earned below it ($10,000)? If you'd filed for ACA with $10,000, you would have been denied any subsidies, as they'd claim you'd qualify for Medicaid. (But depending on your state, you actually would have gotten nothing.) But is there a penalty for getting subsidies based on that higher amount when originally you wouldn't have gotten any help at all? Especially considering that making that little means you can't AFFORD to pay that back? (I know I wouldn't qualify for greater subsidies; I'm just nervous about having to pay back what I got.)