Legal Implications of Parents’ Claiming Dependency and Cancelling Health Insurance
I’m a 20-year-old college student who no longer lives with my parents. I was kicked out of their home when I turned 18 in March 2021. Despite this, my parents have continued to claim me as a dependent, even though I legally changed my address in August 2021. It’s important to note that I haven’t received any financial assistance from them, but I have remained on their health insurance, which was Medicaid, and it didn’t cost them anything.
My parents have repeatedly asked for my work and school tax documents, which they want to use to claim me as a dependent. However, I’ve refused to provide them with this information for two reasons: Firstly, I didn’t earn enough money to be required to file taxes, and secondly, I believe they have no right to that information.
This month, my parents canceled my health insurance coverage without notifying me. This was particularly frustrating because it was free Medicaid coverage, and I only discovered that my coverage was terminated when I had a scheduled medical appointment.
I’m wondering if my parents could potentially face legal consequences for continuing to claim me as a dependent on their taxes despite having no contact with me and for canceling my health insurance coverage abruptly.