Claim as dependent or not, better for stimulus or deduction

[Scouseyank]

My 23 year old daughter was attending college as a graduate student. She lived at school, then lived here 4 months, then moved to another state. She earned about 8500. It's about equal to the 50% support (could go either way). 

Are we better off $-wise claiming as a dependent (looks like it adds about $500 to my refund) or not claiming and her receiving a stimulus?

If she is not a dependent in 2020 and her 2020 taxes get filed, will she get the $1400 automatically or have to apply in some sort of way?

[Bsch4477 · Accepted solution]

You can’t just decide which is better. She is either eligible to be your dependent or not. This worksheet can help you decide. 

https://apps.irs.gov/app/vita/content/globalmedia/teacher/worksheet_for_determining_support_4012.pdf

[Scouseyank]

Thank you. Based on her living with her boyfriend at college and them paying their expenses, then after graduation him relocating for a job in another state she came home for 4 months. Then she moved out to the other state with her boyfriend and they again pay all their expenses. It looks like she is not a dependent.