Hello,
So I have an odd-ish situation I could use a hand with. I'm trying to get my self positioned so that I can receive the COVID-19 stimulus payout, which i desperately need. I know the details are still up in the air, but seem like they will be based on 2018/19 returns, which present an odd situation.
All of my past tax returns have been done online using TurboTax and filed with E-File through TurboTax.
My 2018 return (I'm owed a refund, not due to pay) was rejected by the IRS and Maryland state, because I was incorrectly claimed as a dependent by my father. I spoke with him back when it was initially rejected, and he acknowledged his error and promised to amend his return. He failed to do so in time for me to get it in, and life being life, I let it go because I had time to deal with it. Fast forward to today, I'm worried that I'm not going to be getting the COVID-19 stimulus check because while I did file taxes for 2018, the return was rejected and not resubmitted in time for e-file.
He amended his return earlier this week, after explaining to him how badly this was screwing me over, and mailed it to the IRS.
What are my next steps? I've never had to do anything other than file online, so I am unsure how to resubmit my 2018 return to the IRS and MD state. I don't know if I need to "amend" my return, because my return doesn't need to be changed, it was correct as originally submitted.
I'm pretty sure the easier and faster option would be to file a 2019 return. Unfortunately that is not a very attractive option, as I spent 2019 as a freelancer/self-employed. I didn't make more than the standard deduction, so my tax burden is minimal - but I'm unable to afford TurboTax Self-Employed + what I have to pay the IRS being self-employed.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
