For the past few years I have claimed my grandson on my taxes. I have never received a stimulus check for him..Why??

[maria-loomis]

I don't understand why I am not receiving a stimulus check for my grandchild, who I claim as a dependent on my taxes

[DoninGA]

If he is being claimed as a dependent on your tax return, a dependent age 17 or older is not eligible for either the first or second stimulus payment.

[xmasbaby0]

You have not mentioned how old your grandson is.   For the first two stimulus checks---you could get stimulus checks if he was YOUNGER than 17 at the end of 2020.   For the third stimulus check it does not matter how old he is ---- if you can claim him as a dependent you should get the $1400 stimulus for claiming him.   

If you have not prepared your 2020 return then you can use the recovery rebate credit to get stimulus money for the first two checks if you are eligible for it.

The stimulus check is an advance on a credit you can receive on your 2020 tax return.  If something went wrong or you did not get the stimulus check in 2020, you can get it when you file your 2020 return in early 2021

The Recovery Rebate Credit will be found in the FEDERAL REVIEW section. ( you should see "Let's make sure you got the right stimulus amount”)  If you are eligible it will end up on line 30 of your 2020 Form 1040.

Make sure that you enter ALL of the stimulus money received for the 1st and 2nd stimulus for yourself, your spouse and your children.

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/economic-impact-payment-information-center-topic-j-reconciling-on-your-...

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1901539-how-do-i-preview-my-turbotax-online-return-before-filing

Click on Tax Tools on the left side of the screen. Click on Tools. Click on View Tax Summary. Click on Preview my 1040 on the left side of the screen.

[maria-loomis]

So sorry, I forgot to mention he is only 6 years old.  I've also never gotten the extra child tax credit.  To my understanding, that is due to the fact that I don't pay for child care as I am the caregiver.  Is that correct?

[xmasbaby0]

@maria-loomis If you do not pay someone to take care of your grandchild so that you can work you do not get the child and dependent care credit.    There is a different child-related credit--the child tax credit---that is based on receiving income earned from working.   Did you work and receive income from working?   If so you should have seen the child tax credit on your forms.

As for the stimulus amounts----did you claim your grandchild on a 2020 tax return and complete the recovery rebate credit section?   

The stimulus check is an advance on a credit you can receive on your 2020 tax return.  If something went wrong or you did not get the stimulus check in 2020, you can get it when you file your 2020 return in early 2021

The Recovery Rebate Credit will be found in the FEDERAL REVIEW section. ( you should see "Let's make sure you got the right stimulus amount”)  If you are eligible it will end up on line 30 of your 2020 Form 1040.

Make sure that you enter ALL of the stimulus money received for the 1st and 2nd stimulus for yourself, your spouse and your children.

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/economic-impact-payment-information-center-topic-j-reconciling-on-your-...

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1901539-how-do-i-preview-my-turbotax-online-return-before-filing

Click on Tax Tools on the left side of the screen. Click on Tools. Click on View Tax Summary. Click on Preview my 1040 on the left side of the screen.

[SweetieJean]

You cannot get the Child Care Credit for caring for someone that you claim as a dependent.  You must pay a Third Party to care for him so that you can work.  That is different from the Child Tax Credit, and the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC).  To get the ACTC, you must have Earned Income (generally from working).

Did you receive the stimulus payments for yourself?