Not sure if you were aware of the problem for all of that time---and if you were aware of it why you did not take steps to correct it.
You do not mention whether you filed tax returns for those years. If you did not file for those years, you can still prepare and mail in returns in order to seek income tax refunds as far back as tax year 2018. Or if you filed but did not claim the children you can amend those returns. By April 17, 2022 it will be too late for you to receive a refund for a 2018 return.
If your mother has been claiming your children but has not been supporting them she has been committing tax fraud. When you file returns to claim them, the IRS will investigate and she will have to pay any wrongly issued refunds, credit, etc. as well as penalties.
The way for you to get the 1st and/or 2nd stimulus payments is to file a 2020 tax return and use the recovery rebate credit in Federal Review. The 3rd stimulus payment can be obtained by filing a 2021 return and using the recovery rebate credit in Federal Review. You can also get the full amount of the child tax credit for children under the age of 18 on your 2021 tax return. If mom received those stimulus payments and any advance child tax credits she will have to repay them.
You can prepare your own tax returns ---- you have not mentioned how you were supported during those years or if anyone else could have claimed you as a dependent, since it seems odd that you would have gone along with your mother during these years if you could have been filing tax returns yourself.
Or you and your mother might want to seek professional tax help to dig out of this.
Online preparation and e-filing for 2018 and 2019 and 2020 is permanently closed.
To file a return for a prior tax year
If you need to prepare a return for 2018, 2019 or 2020 you can purchase and download desktop software to do it, then print, sign, and mail the return(s)
https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/past-years-products/
You may also want to explore purchasing the software from various retailers such as Amazon, Costco, Best Buy, Walmart, Sam’s, etc.
Remember to prepare your state return as well—if you live in a state that has a state income tax.
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/state-taxes/help/how-do-i-contact-my-state-department-of-revenue/0...
When you mail a tax return, you need to attach any documents showing tax withheld, such as your W-2’s or any 1099’s. Use a mailing service that will track it, such as UPS or certified mail so you will know the IRS/state received the return.
Federal and state returns must be in separate envelopes and they are mailed to different addresses. Read the mailing instructions that print with your tax return carefully so you mail them to the right addresses.
Note: The desktop software you need to prepare the prior year return must be installed/downloaded to a full PC or Mac. It cannot be used on a mobile device.
**Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**
