Health care penalty

[mosleyanncourt]

I was under 18 up until August of 2016 and my mom didn't have health insurance for me and I didn't have a plan, is there any way for me to avoid the penalty?

[MiriamF · Accepted solution]

If you were a dependent on your mom's tax return, the penalty is her issue, not yours. But if the software is asking your about your health insurance, then you didn't file as a dependent.

The only way for you to avoid the penalty is to file as a dependent. You can do that if you didn't provide at least half of your own living expenses. If you do that, and your mom has claimed you, then the insurance is her issue, not yours.

If you weren't a dependent, then you might qualify for an exemption.  This Marketplace web site has an easy-to-follow questionnaire that might help you.