Health Insurance and Claiming a Child as a Dependent

Forum|Forum|7 years ago
November 16, 2018
1 reply
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My girlfriend and I had a baby in 2018. We live together but are not married. The baby was eligible for Medicaid through the mother while she was pregnant. If the baby stays on Medicaid through the mother am I allowed to claim the child on my taxes?

Carl11_2

Employee

Yes. Also understand that the "lack of coverage" penalty is gone and no more until at least 2026.

I am assuming the mother does not work. But if the mother does have any income, then the IRS says she has priority on claiming the child if she wants to. With both of you living in the household with the baby, no special paperwork is needed that I can think of. But one thing you point out is that whoever claims the child "may" qualify to file Head of Household, instead of single.