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Returning Member
posted Apr 20, 2020 4:10:33 PM

Claimed Fiancee 2018, she filed in 2019; no stimulus check?

Hello, I claimed my fiancee on my 2018 taxes as she was a stay at home mom at the time. She began working in 2019, filed her taxes in January of 2020 and received a refund. She made a minimal amount of money as she was only working for a few months in 2019 before she got a W-2. Using the calculators provided by third parties, it states she may be eligible for a stimulus check. To add a bit more background, I have already received the stimulus for myself as well as our daughter whom I claim on my taxes since she's been born. Since the IRS launched their stimulus check status tool, it has only stated that her "Payment status is not available" and has been this way since they launched said tool. We are at a loss and unsure of what to do or if she is even truly eligible for a stimulus check. The money would really help right now considering I am furloughed and her part time hours were cut even more. I have tried to research before posting however I haven't been able to find much of anything that directly relates to our situation. Thank you so much in advance for any advice/insight!

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3 Replies
Level 15
Apr 20, 2020 8:08:33 PM

was your fiance a dependent on YOUR 2019 tax return? did she mark the box on HER return that she COULD BE a dependent of someone else?  if yes, that is why there is no stimulus. 

 

if she was your spouse or not your dependent it would be different. 

 

if you are planning to marry by the end of 2020 or she is not your dependent, this will work itself out. 

 

answer my questions and then i will explain how. 

 

 

 

 

Returning Member
Apr 20, 2020 9:28:01 PM

My fiancee was not my dependent in 2019 nor did she mark that she could be claimed as such, I've double checked. This is why we are so confused, I don't see there to be a reason for her not to get one.

Level 15
Apr 21, 2020 3:27:26 AM

because of timing it is possible the IRS uses 2018; we just don't know how the IRS is determining which year to use. HOWEVER, all is not lost. 

 

  • 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 simply never received it for this situation), she will receive it through the 2020 tax filing as an additional tax refund (or a reduction in the taxes she owes)
  • If you received too much (not the issue here), by law, you are not required to return it

 

make sense?