Can Be Claimed As A Dependent

[cttx7170]

My son incorrectly checked that someone can claim him as a dependent on his taxes. He is eligible for a stimulus check but the IRS site shows him as ineligible. We believe it is due to him checking that someone can claim him as a dependent, when actually no one can. Would filing an amended tax return correct this situation?

Thanks for any insight that can be offered here.

[Texas Roger · Accepted solution]

If he is eligible, there are a couple of alternatives to qualify for it.

You are not eligible for the stimulus payment if you checked the box on your tax return that you can be claimed by someone else.  You must check the box if you meet the requirements to be claimed by someone else even if they don't claim you.

If you do not meet the requirements to be claimed by someone else, you can prepare, print, and mail an amended return form 1040X to "uncheck" the box. DO NOT uncheck the box until you start the amended return. Here is a link to help you: https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1894381-how-to-amend-change-or-correct-a-return-you-already-filed

Amended returns must be printed and mailed. They can't be efiled. You must print and mail it yourself. In normal times, it takes the IRS about 16 weeks to process an amended return.

An alternative for you is to wait until you file you 2020 tax return and not check the box on that return. The stimulus payment is actually an advance on a credit claimed on your 2020 tax return. You could get it when you file your 2020 return.