How much money is saved by filing "head of household" with a dependent vs. filing separately with no dependent? (Trying to decide for healthcare eligibility purposes.)

[TaxGuyBill]

Can you explain in detail what you are trying to do for healthcare eligibility purposes?  Depending on the circumstances, healthcare eligibility is sometimes determined on if you are ABLE to claim the person as a dependent, regardless if you actually claim the person or not.

[ostr0001]

Yeah, I could claim him as dependent and provide (fairly expensive, to me) coverage through him from my work. I'd rather list him as independent so he can find his own health insurance, I think.

[ostr0001]

*for him, through my work.

[ostr0001]

(He will be 25 in a few weeks.)

[SweetieJean]

He might not be a dependent because of his age anyway.

[TaxGuyBill]

If you are ABLE to claim him, he is not able to claim himself.

However, you said he is 24.  Is his income under $4050 ($4150 if you are talking about 2017)?

[ostr0001]

Yes, under $4050.

[SweetieJean]

You said "under $4500" downthread. Please clarify.

[TaxGuyBill]

Okay, it seems like you are able to claim him, so that means is NOT able to claim himself, even if you choose to not to claim him.

However, depending on which State you live in, if you choose not to claim him, he may qualify for free Medicaid.  He still can not claim himself on his tax return, but he may qualify for Medicaid if you do not claim him.  If he lives in a State that has fully expanded Medicaid, he would qualify.  If he lives in another State, he would need to contact his local Medicaid office to determine the rules in that State.
<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://www.kff.org/health-reform/slide/current-status-of-the-medicaid-expansion-decision/">https://...>

[ostr0001]

Thank you so much for all the help!

[ostr0001]

I'm in a state with "adopted expansion."

[DoninGA · Accepted solution]

Standard deductions for 2017 

• Single - $6,350 add $1,550 if age 65 or older
• Married Filing Separately - $6,350 add $1,250 if age 65 or older
• Married Filing Jointly - $12,700 add $1,250 for each spouse age 65 or older
• Head of Household - $9,350 add $1,550 if age 65 or older

Dependent personal exemption - $4,050

[SweetieJean]

You may also get some tax credits for a dependent.  And all this assumes no tax law changes for 2017.

[SweetieJean]

Also note that not all dependents will qualify you for HOH.