Stimulus Check Dependent Question

[Kkirchn1]

Hi there.

My mom and I filed our 2019 taxes and both marked the box that I “can be claimed as a dependent”. 

I am 23 years old, financially independent/don’t live with her and not a student (I graduated from college May 2019).

My question is, to receive the COVID-19 individual adult stimulus check, do my mom and I both have to amend our 2019 returns and uncheck the “claim as a dependent” box? OR can I receive the stimulus check when I file for my 2020 tax refund, without having to amend my 2019 return since I will be 24 years old and still financially independent? I’ve heard the stimulus check is just an advance on 2020 tax refunds, but will I qualify for the stimulus refund in 2020 if the 2019 taxes marked me as a qualifying dependent?

[JohnB5677]

Both your Mom and you will have to file amended returns.  Your Mom should file first.  Then wait about three week and you should hile.  If your's is filed first it will be rejected.

If you've filed your return and need to add additional information, then you will have to prepare an amended return in TurboTax.  I suggest you wait at least 3 weeks before sending it to ensure that the IRS does not confuse the returns.  You have three years to file an amended return.

If you used TurboTax Online, simply log in to your account and select “Amend a return that was filed and accepted.” 

If you used our CD/download product, sign back into your return and select “Amend a filed return.” You must file a separate Form 1040X for each tax return you are amending.

Amend ONLINE    OR     Amend CD/Download       Amend 2016 - 2019

You will have to mail the amended return.  The IRS limits the system to only one Social Security number or Tax ID  to be E-Filed.  This is to guard against fraudulent tax returns.

[Kkirchn1]

Would my mom owe money to the IRS if she removes me as a dependent on her amended return?

[VictoriaD75]

Yes. It is possible that she could have to repay any credits received for claiming you as a dependent, such as the Credit for Other Dependents, Earned Income Credit, or any Education Credits that she may have received if she claimed them for 2019. 

Per the IRS, you are not eligible if:

You can be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s return. For example, this would include a child, student or older dependent who can be claimed on a parent’s return.

It does not state that you are claimed, but rather that you are can be claimed on someone else's return.

Economic Impact Payments

The IRS has created a Get My Payment portal to track the progress of these payments for taxpayers. It is expected to be available beginning April 17, 2020.

IRS Economic Impact Payments

[Kkirchn1]

But can I receive the stimulus check money when I file for my 2020 tax refund, without having to amend my 2019 return since I will be 24 years old, financially independent, and neither of us will mark me as a qualifying dependent on our taxes?  I’ve heard the stimulus check is just an advance on 2020 tax refunds?

[JohnW222 · Accepted solution]

You’re correct.  As of this moment, taxpayers with your scenario have two options:

1. They can file an amended return indicating that they can't be claimed as a dependent on someone else's return, or
2. They can wait to claim the stimulus amount until they file their Tax Year 2020 tax return (i.e., the return they'll file next year), indicating they can't be claimed as a dependent by someone else, and get their stimulus payment as part of their tax refund next year.