Can i file amended return to claim my son who was not claimed in 2020, and how can he receive his 3rd stimulus ?

[Hhushpupe]

My 16yo son lived with my mother inlaw from Jan-April 2020, he moved back to my home end of April 2020 i thought my mother inlaw had claimed him on her 2020 tax return, i found after i had already filed our taxes for 2020 she did not claim him. He also did not receive his 3rd stimulus check. How can i file an amended return and receive credit for him being my dependent and he can receive his 3rd stimulus check. My 2020 return was filed as married filing joint with 3 dependents but really i had 4 dependents because he moved back home at the end of April 2020.
Will this also cause issues with receiving the future child tax credit payments or the adjusted unemployment tax refund?

[macuser_22]

You must amend to claim him.

A dependent that *can* be claimed (whether actually claimed or not) is not eligible for the stimulus.

If you filed, it is like dropping it into the mail - you cannot get it back if accepted by the IRS or state.

Do not rush to amend - no hurry. You have 3 years to amend and amended returns are taking 4-6 months or longer to be processed so waiting a few weeks will make little difference and amending too soon might just compound the problem. (If you amend today you probably will not see the results until August or September).


To amend your 2020 tax return:

-- First, *wait* to see if your return has been accepted or rejected by the IRS or state. DO NOT do anything until you receive the accept or reject e-mail.

-- If rejected, you can correct and re-send your return.

-- If accepted you should *wait* until your return has been processed and you receive your refund or conformation that any tax due has been paid. (If you file an amended return while you first return is being processed it can cause extended delays for both returns if two returns are in the system at the same time). In addition, if the IRS makes any change on your original return, you might end up having to amend the amendment – a sticky process that can take a year or more).

-- Then you can start the amend process.

It is suggested that it be mailed certified with return receipt (or other tracking service) to verify that the IRS receives it. That is the only proof of mailing that the IRS will accept.

-- Amended returns can be mailed or e-filed - allow 8-12 weeks - can take up to 16 weeks (4 months) for processing.


See this TurboTax FAQ for help with amending:

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1894381-how-to-amend-change-or-correct-a-return-you-already-filed

You can check the status of your amended return here but allow 3 weeks after filing for it to show up:
https://www.irs.gov/filing/wheres-my-amended-return