Claim lower income to get better benefits?

My wife is going to stop working so we will need to pay for insurance ourselves since my employer doesn’t offer it (they’ll pay half my monthly premium). I have received quotes for a few different plans from an insurance company and the guy is recommending that I claim a lower income (even though I’m salaried and my income is stable).

I make 78,000/year and he’s saying if I claim 37,000/year I can access much better benefits and then at tax time I’d settle up the difference. In the end the amount I’d have to settle up with is $3,000 for the year which comes out to $250/month. At a lower income the plans are way better than if I were to claim my actual income. What I’m seeing is that it’s better benefits, lower cost. Win win. Is this a legitimate loophole or should I avoid this?

TLDR: Should I claim a lower income than my actual because my insurance quoter is suggesting I can get better benefits at a lower cost?

Location is Utah if that’s helpful. Thank you!

submitted by /u/Sea-Gas-8187
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