Should I file an amended/superseded tax return to remove dependent adult so he can qualify for stimulus money?

[DoninGA]

If they do not have any income to report for either 2018 or 2019 there is no reason to amend the tax return.  If they received Social Security benefits then they are already eligible for the stimulus funds.

[ritchey_r]

Thanks, DoninGA. I replied to your response about 40 minutes ago, but it doesn't seem to be here. Hope this isn't a duplicate.

Son has no income/almost no for several years. We claimed him this year as we provide 90% of his support.  In reading about the stimulus money, I've noted: 1) "All U.S. residents with adjusted gross income under $75,000 ($112,500 for head of household and $150,000 married), who are not the dependent of another taxpayer and have a work-eligible Social Security Number, are eligible for the full $1,200 ($2,400 married) rebate." and 2) "...The bill also instructs the IRS to engage in a public campaign to alert all individuals of their eligibility for the rebate and how to receive it if they have not filed either a 2019 or 2018 tax return." (my bold in #1).

This is why I ask if I should file an amended/superseded return removing him as a dependent so he can qualify for the money.  We're not tax geniuses, and we (husband and I ) qualify for the full amount as our joint AGI is just barely over the income for a single tax payer so we are not wealthy. I'm inclined to file again, but I'd like tax-smart people, like yourself, to weigh in here. 

[DoninGA]

@ritchey_r 

If he has no income of any kind to report on either a 2018 or 2019 tax return then there is no reason to amend your tax returns as the IRS will not even process a tax return with no income entered on the tax return.  If he does have income in either 2018 or 2019 to report on a tax return, then you have to make a decision on whether or not it is in your financial interest to amend your tax returns.

Assuming that the dependent is over the age of 18 and not a full time student under the age of 24, then you have been claiming him as a dependent under the Qualifying Relative rules.  You would have received a tax credit for an Other Dependent of $500 on your tax returns for 2018 and 2019.  If you amend your tax returns to remove the dependent, then you will have your tax returns adjusted to remove this credit, thus owing the IRS taxes for each tax year plus possible penalties and interest.

For 2019 since you do not have a dependent child and if your Adjusted Gross Income as shown on the Federal tax return Form 1040 Line 8b is $150,000 or less then you are eligible for $2,400 of stimulus funds if filing as Married Filing Jointly.

[ritchey_r]

Again, thank you, DoninGA. Yes,we would have to pay the $500 for 2019 return. Since we are before filing date, I'm not sure we would technically have a penalty. We have not claimed him in many years until this year.  Yes, we do not have a dependent child, but as he has  been claimed as a Qualifying Relative, he has been automatically eliminated from the stimulus money. 

[DoninGA]

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@ritchey_r wrote:

Again, thank you, DoninGA. Yes,we would have to pay the $500 for 2019 return. Since we are before filing date, I'm not sure we would technically have a penalty. We have not claimed him in many years until this year.  Yes, we do not have a dependent child, but as he has  been claimed as a Qualifying Relative, he has been automatically eliminated from the stimulus money. 

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If you decide to amend your 2019 tax return, see this TurboTax support FAQ for amending 2019 - https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/tax-topics/help/how-do-i-amend-a-2019-return-in-turbotax/01/123845...

[r0b126]

The "Champ's" answer is absolutely wrong.  You can and should amend the return to remove your son.  He can still go to https://www.freefilefillableforms.com/#/fd/economicimpactpayment and register as a non-filer and receive the full $1200 even though he did not earn any income for 2019.  This is the alternative to filing a regular tax return in your son's case.

[curveyone12]

Hi, 

I have been trying to figure this out all day....My fiance gets SSI, and this year back in feb, i decided to claim him as a dependent, of course not knowing he may be eligible for stimulus at the time...if i remove him as a dependent by amending my return, which can take 3-4 months, would he then be eligible to get the 1200 since he won't be seen as a dependent any longer, but just someone getting SSI who qualifies? And due to the time frame, would he still even get it if that much time passes? i dont know how to find this out and the irs website doesnt have anything on this.  thanks

[DaveF1006]

He can qualify with SSI income. Once this is fixed, he can Select https://turbotax.intuit.com/stimulus-check/ link to stimulus registration (SR).  It is very important that you use the option that says register now if you don't need to file taxes this year.  Otherwise, you will not be able to E-file a zero return thus delaying recording your direct deposit information.