When applying for health coverage, it's important to include everyone in your "tax household" on your application. This includes the tax filer, their spouse, and any tax dependents, even if some members don't require coverage. Information about your entire tax household is needed to determine your eligibility for financial assistance, such as tax credits and cost-sharing reductions.
Who to include:
Yourself: The primary applicant must include their own information.
Your spouse: Include your spouse if you have one, even if they are not applying for health coverage.
Note: If you are married, you must file jointly with your spouse in order to be eligible for financial assistance.
Your tax dependents: This includes anyone you claim as a dependent on your federal income tax return, whether they live with you or not and even if they have their own income.
Your children: Any children who live with you should be included, even if they make enough money to file their own tax return.
Other dependents: You may need to include other people under 21 whom you are taking care of and who live with you.
Relationship | Include in household? | Notes |
Dependent children (including adopted and foster children) | Yes | Always include any child you claim as a tax dependent, regardless of their age. |
Children, shared custody | Sometimes | Include children whose custody you share only during years you claim them as tax dependents. |
Unborn children | No | Do not include a baby until it's born. You can enroll your baby up to 60 days after birth. |
Non-dependent child or other relative living with you | No | Include them only if you’ll claim them as tax dependents. |
Dependent parents | Yes | Include parents only if you’ll claim them as tax dependents. |
Dependent siblings and other relatives | Yes | Include them only if you’ll claim them as tax dependents. |
Spouse | Yes | Include your legally married spouse, whether opposite sex or same sex. In most cases, married couples must file taxes jointly to qualify for savings. |
Divorced spouse | No | Don't include a former spouse, even if you live together. |
Spouse, living apart | Yes | Include your spouse unless you’re legally separated or divorced. (See next row for an important exception.) |
Spouse, if you’re a victim of domestic abuse, domestic violence, or spousal abandonment | Not required | In these cases, you don’t have to include your spouse. See rules for victims of domestic abuse, domestic violence, or spousal abandonment. |
Unmarried domestic partner | Sometimes | Include an unmarried domestic partner only if you have a child together or you’ll claim your partner as a tax dependent. |
Roommate | No | Don’t include people you just live with — unless they’re a spouse, tax dependent, or covered by another exception in this chart. |
Need Help?
If you need assistance understanding or updating your information, our Consumer Advocate team can help. Call 855-772-2663, Monday–Friday, 6 a.m.–4 p.m. PT, or visit www.healthsherpa.com to log into your account and make updates.