Why sign in to the Community?

  • Submit a question
  • Check your notifications
Sign in to the Community or Sign in to TurboTax and start working on your taxes
Level 2
posted Apr 10, 2020 12:29:27 AM

I accidentally marked myself as dependent but no one claimed me

I was wondering will this make me unqualified for the stimulus check?

1 24 9753
24 Replies
Expert Alumni
Apr 10, 2020 6:33:52 AM

According to the information on the IRS site, if you were claimed as a dependent or can be claimed as a dependent, then you will not be eligible for a stimulus payment.  Having checked the box on your return that you could be claimed as a dependent will disqualify you from receiving a stimulus payment.  

 

IRS - Economic Impact Payment

 

 

@enclaust

Level 2
Apr 10, 2020 5:21:37 PM

Thanks for the answer! I have already begun filing an amend tax return but that will take a long time before it can be fixed. Does this mean I will miss out entirely from the check, or will it go as tax credit for the next filing year?

Employee Tax Expert
Apr 10, 2020 5:51:42 PM

At this point in time, you would be eligible to take a credit on your 2020 return for stimulus payment that you should have received based upon your corrected 2019 tax return.

 

What the stimulus payment means for you

 

Level 2
Apr 11, 2020 8:14:26 PM

Sorry I forgot to clarify an information. Even though I did mark that I can be claimed as a dependent, I actually cannot be claimed as a dependent because I do not meet the requirements. Does this help me in anyway or am I still ineligible for the check because of this mistake?

Expert Alumni
Apr 12, 2020 9:47:21 AM

No, this should negatively affect your eligibility for the stimulus payment.

Since you selected "someone else can claim me as their dependent" on your return, this indicated to the IRS that you couldn't claim yourself on your return, and you were a dependent on someone else's return.  And if you’re a dependent of someone else, you’re not eligible for the payment.

So, as you suggest, amending your original return is the way to go.

Please see the TurboTax Help article "How to amend (change or correct) a return you already filed" for instruction on how to amend your previously-filed tax return.

Level 2
Apr 12, 2020 5:59:55 PM

Hey! I was just wondering if you found out any information about this. I did the exact same thing by mistake and am amending it now. Didn’t know if we would still be able to receive the money this year.

Expert Alumni
Apr 12, 2020 6:06:42 PM

Not likely, but possible. 

The stimulus check is really an advance payment of a credit for tax year 2020, so you might get it when you file your 2020 tax year return. 

This is all new, so we have to wait and see. 

Stay safe. 

Level 1
Apr 15, 2020 9:06:59 AM

I did this same exact thing, I don't understand how the system can't catch that no one claimed me.... extremely frustrating since it's not like this is taught to you unless you're a CPA. 

 

I filed an amendment & i was required to mail it in, now I am seeing on the IRS website that they are not accepting ANY paper filing due to Covid. What does this mean for people who needed that stimulus check?

Expert Alumni
Apr 15, 2020 10:42:25 AM

Your amended return will ultimately be processed and once you qualify for the stimulus payment it will be sent to you. 

 

The system can see that no one has claimed you at this point.  However, the system doesn't know that someone won't claim you later.  Because taxpayers can file returns all during the year and in some cases into future years, that is why the question is "Can you be claimed on someone else's return?"  If you mark "Yes" then someone may claim you at anytime for this tax year even filing later.  If you indicate you "cannot be claimed" then the issue goes away for the entire tax year.   

Level 1
Apr 15, 2020 11:03:25 AM

Best explanation I've gotten yet, finally it makes sense! Thank you. 

 

 

So few more questions... Since the IRS is not handling paper tax files currently due to Covid and there is no way to amend online completely- Is our one & only option to just wait for all this to be over for them to start processing paper files again?

 

I'm mostly concerned because I was relying on the stimulus check for bills. Now that I am aware I have been filing my taxes wrong, it is added stress not knowing how this is all going to be fixed. 

 

Will they receive the amendment or will I have to re-mail one after this mess is over? 

Expert Alumni
Apr 15, 2020 11:41:38 AM

No you only need to mail the amendment once.  I recommend waiting until your original return is processed (you get your refund for example).  After that you can prepare and mail in the amendment.  Here are the instructions for amending in TurboTax.   

Level 1
Apr 15, 2020 12:40:45 PM

Sorry If I was confusing- I already received my refund back in February. I was unaware that I had been filing incorrectly as a dependent after I graduated college. I sent in my amendment for 2019 yesterday in the Mail. I suppose the waiting time for that amendment to be assessed & fixed is going to be extremely long.

New Member
Apr 30, 2020 2:12:33 PM

I marked myself as a dependent, no one claimed me, and i'm amending my taxes so i can get my full refund. I am not a dependent in any way. If i amend my taxes, should i get the small portion of the return i didn't get and get the stimulus??

New Member
May 29, 2020 1:30:29 PM

can you explain to me how you filled the 1040x. i did the same mistake but i won't let me uncheck the box =(

New Member
Dec 27, 2020 11:56:28 PM

I have a question my mother claimed me as a dependent without my knowledge because I wasn’t working at the time but I’m 26 so I don’t know how she did that. Is there any way to not be claimed? Can I not get stimulus or can I try when I files taxes for 2020?

Level 15
Dec 28, 2020 12:55:10 AM

For 2019 she might be able to claim you if you made less than $4,200.  

 

The Stimulus Check is really based on 2020 tax return. Any amount you already got will be reconciled on your 2020 return line 30. If you didn't get a Stimulus Check (and qualify) or you qualify for more it will be added to your 2020 return. But the good news is if they paid you too much they won't take it back.

 

When you go through the federal review tab it will ask how much you got if any. Or to enter your stimulus payment in TurboTax, type "stimulus" (without the quotes) in the Search box, then click the link that says "Jump to stimulus."

Level 2
Jan 7, 2021 8:34:33 PM

So when submitting on the non-filer return it had a glitch and some how the box was checked for someone can claim me but it should not be. So after not getting my check I called IRS and they told me I could get it when I file for 2020 but I will not file for taxes I made no money. Now how will I get my 1st and 2nd  stimulus check. Please how can I get this relief money when I don't  file. No one has or can claim me but the mistake check mark is there and I can't change it so no what?

Expert Alumni
Jan 7, 2021 9:43:33 PM

@Noway2324

 

Unfortunately, the current IRS procedure is to file a 2020 tax return to claim the payment.  They have not (yet) provided an alternative.  I suggest keeping an eye on these websites for updates, as things are constantly changing.

 

 

Level 2
Jan 8, 2021 12:18:29 PM

Thank you for the response. I have another question  real quick if you don't mind. I see people talking about amending the return, that would not apply to my situation  right seeing as how it was not a return just sending info in for the stimulus. Thank you again

Expert Alumni
Jan 8, 2021 2:51:40 PM

@Noway2324 Correct. You will file this year's return correctly and all will be well.

Level 2
Jan 8, 2021 3:09:38 PM

But there is the problem I do not file a tax return  I haven't worked this year. So then how would I go about getting the stimulus 

Expert Alumni
Jan 8, 2021 3:17:37 PM

You will be able to file an empty return this year in order to collect your stimulus payments.  There will be many people doing that this tax season.  😉  @Noway2324

Level 2
Jan 8, 2021 3:21:38 PM

Thank you. Now last question how and where will I do the empty return where. Is it going to be the same as the non-filers? Again thank you all so much for helping me understand!😁

Expert Alumni
Jan 8, 2021 3:27:10 PM

You may be able to use the TurboTax Free edition. Eligible individuals can claim the Recovery Rebate Credit on their 2020 Form 1040 or 1040-SR even if you are not normally required to file tax returns but are eligible for the credit. For additional information, see IRS Coronavirus Tax Relief - Economic Impact Payments.