I have a great one!

Our CO says that we trade years for who gets to claim SS7 on taxes. Totally fair, I get that. But it’s also not like it’s official with the IRS, it’s just what they agreed to do.

Last year was BM’s year to claim SS. She doesn’t work, so she wasn’t going to get anything back for him. We offered to claim him and then give her 50% of the difference. If we were going to get $300 without him and $1300 with, then we’d give her 50% of the difference, or $500. Seemed like a reasonable offer to us.

She asked her dad what she should do, and he said to turn the deal down. We were disappointed, but it wasn’t really our year so nothing to complain about. We found out later her parents claimed SS as BM and SS are living with them. Technically he isn’t their dependent, but I have seen folks get away with a lot bigger tax offenses than that.

Found out today it bit her in the ass. SS has always been on state assisted health insurance. In my state the state coverage is really good, basically free everything. SS has always qualified because BM has no income besides child support (about $300 a month because we have him so often). When BM went to renew SS’s state health insurance she got denied because now her parent’s wages are being considered. She complained that they aren’t taking care of SS, that she is, and only her income should be considered. They countered: if BM’s parents claim SS on their taxes, then their wages will be considered for the purpose of determining state health coverage eligibility.

HA!

I can add SS to my corporate plan without any increased cost to me, so we’re going to do that. But now BM will have to pay copays, etc.

Hilarious.