girlfriend is on wic, we are together we both raise our daughter?

Question

ok here my question, we have a 7 week old baby, she is on wic and medicaid. we are together and im the only one working, i have excellant insurance but niether one of them are on it yet cause we arent married and i have to wait til open enrollment to had my daughter.she hasnt worked this past year will i be able to claim her on my taxes considering she is on medicaid. would there be a problem since she is on medicaid. its kinda hard to explain what im trying to ask but i hope yall kinda understand. is there any way i can get in trouble for claiming her since we are together, but she gets wic for milk, and medicaid?

Answer 1

You may claim a dependent for a person who meets the criteria for a qualifying relative. A dependent is a person who meets either the qualifying child or the qualifying relative definitions.

To be claimed as a qualifying relative, the person must meet five criteria:
Gross Income – The dependent earns less than $3,200 in income during the year,
Total Support – You provide more than half of the dependent's total support during the year,
Relationship – You are related to the dependent in certain ways,
For example, you may be able to claim cousins, friends, boyfriend or girlfriend, or domestic partner as a dependent under the qualifying relative tests. These qualifying relatives must live with you for an entire year, and must meet the other four criteria for dependents (gross income, support, citizenship, joint return).

Joint Return – If the dependent is married, the dependent cannot file a joint return with his or her spouse.
Citizenship – The dependent must be a citizen or resident alien of the United States, Canada, or Mexico.

And to claim the child as a dependent qualifying child:
Relationship — the person must be your child, step child, adopted child, foster child, brother or sister, or a descendant of one of these (for example, a grandchild or nephew).
Residence — for more than half the year, the person must have the same residence as you do. (More than half a year means, at minimum, six months and one day.)
Age — the person must be
* under age 19 at the end of the year, or
* under age 24 and a be a full-time student for at least five months out of the year, or
* any age and totally and permanently disabled.
Support — the person did not provide more than half of his or her own support during the year.

Make sure your girlfriend does not file her own return and claims the daughter if you are claiming them both.
Also, you will qualify as "Head of Household" as your standard deduction which will help decrease your tax a lot better than claiming single would.

There are other credits you will be able to take advantage of such as the child tax credit, and possibly the earned income credit.

Hope this helps

Answer 2

You need to check with the DSHS in your state.

My sis and her boyfriend, at the time, were together for 7 yrs. For the first two years my sis was able to get wic and medical coupons for my niece. Her ex had claimed her on his taxes, even though they were not married. His income was not enough. Also she was 17 when she had a baby.

Just because you work and the two of you are not married does not mean that the baby will lose it's benefits. The state will look at your income and see that you are supporting a total of 3 people in your household.

When I was younger and had my daughter, I had military coverage through my parents. I was 23 and going to college and working at the time. I had to go to the state for medical help because the military would not cover my daughter.

You work, you pay taxes, you are taking care of your family. When people say that you are using the system, do not listen to that crap. All children should be covered with medical and unfortunately there are companies that charges an arm and a leg for medical. And in your case you have to wait to put your child on until the enrollment time.

Answer 3

I agree with most of what RamsGod said.

Federal government allows you to claim your girlfriend as a dependent if
- she lived with you the whole year
- you provided more than 50% of the money to support her
- she doesn't have more than $3200 gross income (including interest earned, taxable benefits, unemployment)
- no one else has claimed her as a dependent

However, there maybe local regulation that overwrites federal rules. For example, Florida does not allow half of an unmarried couple to claim the other person as a dependent.

You can claim your daughter. No question.

Best wishes.

Answer 4

I understand. .....she hasnt worked this past year.... you want to claim her and the baby on your taxes ..... if you do claim her, she may lose her medicaid since they will count your income toward her support....that goes for your daughter as well......There is no trouble for claiming her since you are together, but she may lose wic and medicaid.

Answer 5

Well, This is all I have to say...

My best friend was on medicaid with her daughter... However her boyfriend was able to put the baby on his insurance.

Do no claim your girlfriend! It could cause major problems... She could be blamed for fraud. Your daughter I'm not sure about... >_> I don't have any kids and I'm not sure. But just to be safe I would say, claim yourself... don't include them.

Answer 6

She could claim her on her tax return...even though she had no income....she could claim the earned income credit.
Talk with a tax guy...some will answer questions without a fee.

Answer 7

Jeez, another free loader. Marry the mother of your child and support them. Why should we have to pay for them?
I am Dem and a liberal and people like you make me sick.

Answer 8

Why did you get someone pregnant if you can't afford insurance. Irresponsible.

Thanks for adding to the problem.

Answer 9

Yes you can clam the child

Answer 10

YES!