topic Yes, you can claim your child. You don't need any proof.... in Get your taxes done using TurboTax

Can I claim my daughter as a dependent if her mom put herself as single in Medicaid application?

vmex1500 — Wed, 05 Jun 2019 02:23:41 GMT

I have been living with my girlfriend and her parents for the whole 2017 now. I pay my girlfriends dad rent, light and water. However there's no documentation to prove that since he's paying rent too. My girlfriend, after she had our baby, applied for medicaid. She stated that she was single and living with her parents since we're not married. I want to know if I can still claim my daughter as a dependent since I have been supporting my girlfriend and my daughter for this year even tho I have no way to prove it. Or if there's a way I can prove it I would like to know also.

Yes, you can claim your child. You don't need any proof....

Hal_Al — Wed, 05 Jun 2019 02:23:43 GMT

Yes, you can claim your child. You don't need any proof.

When two unmarried parents live together, with their child, either one may claim the child. They may decide between themselves which parent will claim the child. Only if they can't agree does the IRS have rules to set the priorities. It doesn't matter who provided the most support, or if the grandparents provided more support than the parents*.

If the grandparents want to claim the baby, instead of the parents, that is also allowed. But there is an additional rule. They can only do so if they have a more income than the parent with the highest income.

You may not claim your girlfriend as a dependent, unless you provide more support than her parents*. That is unlikely, if you live in their home.

*There are two types of dependents, "Qualifying Children"(QC) and standard ("Qualifying Relative" in IRS parlance even though they don't have to actually be related). There is no income limit for a QC, and there is essentially no support test, but there is an age limit, a relationship test and residence test. Only a QC qualifies a taxpayer for the Earned Income Credit and the Child Tax Credit. They are interrelated but the rules are different for each.

However, if the Baby is on Medicaid, it might disqualify...

TaxGuyBill — Wed, 05 Jun 2019 02:23:44 GMT

However, if the Baby is on Medicaid, it might disqualify the Medicaid benefits if you claim her as a dependent.

The rules can be complicated and they vary from State-to-State, so if you are concerned about that, you may want to contact your local Medicaid office.