Q. Am I eligible for the Coronavirus stimulus check if I am a student that can be claimed by my parents, but was not claimed by them in either 2018 or 2019?
A. Technically, no. The key words are "can be claimed". If you checked the box that said you can be claimed as a dependent, you will NOT receive the stimulus payment, even if your parents did not actually claim you.
But, why aren't your parents claiming you, and missing out on tax benefits?
Under the CARES Act, if you are claimed as a dependent on someone else’s return you cannot receive a stimulus check, in 2020. If you were, or could have been, claimed as a dependent for 2019, but will not be for 2020, you will most likely get it in 2021.
When you file your 2020 return in 2021, you will have the opportunity to report the amount of the stimulus check(s) you did receive, and if it was less than what you were entitled to, you will receive a credit on your 2020 tax return.
