I don't think it matters to my question, but I am an American citizen with a tax residence in Japan.
The only payment I received was from the former president, and the check was dated January 6, 2021.
I assumed that since the check was dated and received in 2021 it had no effect on my 2020 return, but it occurred to me (after I filed, of course) that I might be wrong.
Should I have declared that I received a $600 stimulus when filling out my 2020 return?
Or was I correct in assuming that a check dated 2021 has no effect on my 2020 return?
And if I should have declared it, should I file an amended return or just settle it later if I get flagged for an error?
Thanks for your time.
Edward Lipsett
Should I have declared that I received a $600 stimulus when filling out my 2020 return?
Yes
Or was I correct in assuming that a check dated 2021 has no effect on my 2020 return?
You were wrong
And if I should have declared it, should I file an amended return
Do not amend
or just settle it later if I get flagged for an error?
It is not if but when
Should I have declared that I received a $600 stimulus when filling out my 2020 return?
Yes
Or was I correct in assuming that a check dated 2021 has no effect on my 2020 return?
You were wrong
And if I should have declared it, should I file an amended return
Do not amend
or just settle it later if I get flagged for an error?
It is not if but when
Thank you; very clear answers.
You're marked "Level 12" which presumably means you've answered a lot of queries over the years.
May I ask if you are a tax professional, or merely a well-versed layperson?
It doesn't affect the taxes I owe for 2020, but it apparently will affect the amount of the next stimulus check I receive. If I can just let it ride and fix it later, that's fine, too.
Edward