Does my girlfriend (earns no income) qualify for a health insurance exemption or does my income count as part of her total household income if I claim her as a dependent?

[olirrie]

I am claiming my partner as a dependent on my tax return as she did not earn any income the previous year. She also did not have any health insurance for the entire year (again because she was not earning income) and I could not add her to my plan because she was not a spouse. When I complete the health insurance portion on my return, it asks whether we both had health insurance. It is charging a pretty hefty penalty if an exemption is not claimed. Am I allowed to claim an exemption for her, and if so, which one is appropriate? Since she earned no income, does she qualify for the "plans in my area were not affordable" exemption (turbotax states plans are not affordable if it costs more than 8.13% of household income) or does my income count as part of her total household income since I am claiming her as a dependent?? According to the IRS, she wouldn't have to claim any exemption or pay any penalty simply based on her lack of income but not sure how this is affected once she is being claimed as a dependent on my return.

[viktoriyab11]

When you claim your girlfriend as a dependent, you include her in your household.

"Household income is a measure of the combined incomes of all people sharing a particular household or place of residence. It includes every form of income, e.g., salaries and wages, retirement income, near cash government transfers like food stamps, and investment gains".

For the 2017 plan year, the fee is calculated two different ways – as a percentage of your household income, and per person. You’ll pay whichever is higher.

Percentage of income

2.5% of household income
Maximum: Total yearly premium for the national average price of a Bronze plan sold through the Marketplace
Per person
$695 per adult
$347.50 per child under 18

 Maximum: $2,085 Can I avoid paying the health insurance penalty? https://ttlc.intuit.com/replies/4843152