topic Can I receive stimulus if I lived outside of the US in 2019? in Deductions & credits

Can I receive stimulus if I lived outside of the US in 2019?

egranger001 — Tue, 15 Sep 2020 16:19:40 GMT

I was born in the US but my parents moved to Canada when I was a young child. I am a US citizen but have not worked in the US. I started working in the US in 2020 as I now live here.

Re: Can I receive stimulus if I lived outside of the US in 2019?

xmasbaby0 — Tue, 15 Sep 2020 16:31:26 GMT

We do not know enough. You have not told us if your parents claimed you as a dependent on their U.S. tax return. How old were you at the end of 2019? Are you a full-time student?

Re: Can I receive stimulus if I lived outside of the US in 2019?

egranger001 — Tue, 15 Sep 2020 16:39:21 GMT

No my parents did not claim me as a dependant. We have lived in Canada since 1994. I was 26 years old as of December 2019. I just moved to the US April 2020.

Re: Can I receive stimulus if I lived outside of the US in 2019?

egranger001 — Tue, 15 Sep 2020 16:40:25 GMT

@xmasbaby0 No my parents did not claim me as a dependant. We have lived in Canada since 1994. I was 26 years old as of December 2019. I just moved to the US April 2020.

Re: Can I receive stimulus if I lived outside of the US in 2019?

xmasbaby0 — Tue, 15 Sep 2020 16:59:48 GMT

You do not say if you have ever filed a U.S. tax return or if you have had income up to now. Or have you been a "non-filer" up to the present?

If you were not a dependent on a 2019 tax return then you may be eligible for a stimulus check. It is very late in the year--you might have to wait and get it on your 2020 tax return that you will prepare and file in 2021.

The IRS can look at your 2018 or 2019 return to issue a stimulus check. If they do not have a 2018 return then you may be waiting for them to finish processing 2019 before they will be able to use it to issue your stimulus check.

TurboTax has no control over your stimulus check, nor can TT track it for you or tell you when the IRS will issue it. Refer to the sites linked below:

You can call the IRS hotline at 1-800-919-9835 to get updates on your stimulus payment.

https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payment-information-center#nonfilertool

https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment-frequently-asked-questions

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/tax-topics/help/how-will-the-stimulus-package-impact-me/00/1393859

Re: Can I receive stimulus if I lived outside of the US in 2019?

egranger001 — Tue, 15 Sep 2020 17:05:02 GMT

Sorry. I have never filed a tax return in the US as I have lived in Canada most of my life. I have filed tax returns in Canada but not the US. I saw that if I am a Us citizen living abroad I could qualify under the Cares act.

Re: Can I receive stimulus if I lived outside of the US in 2019?

xmasbaby0 — Tue, 15 Sep 2020 18:50:50 GMT

A U.S. citizen --even a citizen who lives in another country -- is supposed to file a U.S. tax return if you have taxable income. Not sure how many years you should have been filing tax returns but you could try catching up.

The current online program is only for 2019; other years must be prepared using desktop software and must be mailed in.

Online preparation and e-filing for 2016, 2017 and 2018 is permanently closed.

To file a return for a prior tax year

If you need to prepare a return for 2016, 2017, or 2018 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.

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.

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.

If you are getting a refund, there is not a penalty for filing past the deadline. If you owe taxes, the interest/penalties will be calculated by the IRS based on how much you owe and when they receive your return and payment. The IRS will bill you for this; it will not be calculated by TurboTax.