@seneeves
1) suggest amending because that MAY adjust the tax credit (qualifying children get up to $2000 of tax credit PER CHILD and other dependents get up to $500 per person) and thus reduce the back taxes you owe. How many years back did this occur as you can go as far back as 2016 to amend.
2) the IRS is not garnishing the stimulus for back taxes (it is garnishing for back child support)
3) be sure to mention in the comments section of the amendment that you'd appreciate the stimulus being sent to you since the amendment makes the children eligible for the $500 (each)
4) worst case, if the amendment doesn't get you the stimulus money (and the amendments won't process for a good 16 weeks), here is what is going to occur:
- The stimulus payments are really based on your 2020 tax return (income, dependents, etc).
- The IRS is using either 2018 or 2019 – whatever is available - to ESTIMATE that payment
- When you file next year there will be a “settle up” section on the tax return.
- If you are due more stimulus (and this would include where you didn't get money for the children), you will receive it through the 2020 tax filing.... assuming the children are properly coded on the 2020 tax return 🙂
- If you received too much stimulus (not the issue here), by law , you are not required to return it
does that help? we may have found you LOTS of money for the child care credit and a path to get the stimulus money (albeit worst case not until next year)
