My wife and I are filing jointly. She is going through the immigration process and cannot receive government assistance. Can I, alone, receive my stimulus tax credit?

[randellhouse]

Our household meets the requirements for both stimulus checks, but did not receive either. We are concerned any sort of stimulus money would interfere with my wife's immigration process, therefore, we want to receive a stimulus tax credit for me and me alone while still filing jointly. Is this possible? How do I make sure Turbo Tax submits form 1040 for me and only me?

[DawnC]

If you file a joint return, both you and your wife will be listed.  You can file Married filing Separately, which would not include her.  Generally, filing jointly will give you a bigger refund or less taxes due. When you file separately, your tax rate is higher and you won't be able to claim:

• Education benefits
• Earned Income Credit (EIC)
• Child and Dependent Care Credit (usually)
• Adoption Credit (usually)
• The same benefit married filing jointly couples get for itemized deductions, the Child Tax Credit, and capital losses (all of these deductions are reduced by half)
• The standard deduction if your spouse is claiming itemized deductions

You can try the different ways with TurboTax's free calculator TaxCaster. It will give you the estimated tax differences when filing either way. It's up-to-date with the latest tax laws and can estimate your 2021 taxes as well.

The same eligibility rules apply to the second stimulus payment as the first one. You must have a valid Social Security number, and you can’t have been claimed as a dependent on someone else’s 2019 tax return.

In general, taxpayers without an eligible Social Security number are not eligible for the payment. However, this law allows for married taxpayers filing jointly where one spouse has a Social Security number and one spouse does not, to be eligible for a payment of $600, in addition to $600 per child with a Social Security number.