My student child qualifies as dependent, but I don't want to claim it. How to not claim dependent?

[vkmishra0105]

My 19 year old student child qualifies as dependent, but I don't want to claim it. This is to take CARES Act benefit. How to not claim child as dependent? Simply don't add child in tax return, or add the child but mark it as not dependent (but this option is not TT)? Thanks

[Opus 17]

What benefit are you thinking of?

If your child qualifies to be claimed as a dependent, your child must check the box on their return that says "I can be claimed as a dependent" even if the person who could claim them does not want to.  That will disqualify the child from a stimulus payment.  If your child does not check that box to try and qualify for a payment, they are committing tax fraud.

There is a separate question on the child's tax return that asks "Will the person who can claim you as a dependent actually claim you this year?"  This only relates to eligibility for the American Opportunity Credit and will only make a difference if the child has income from working and the parent's income is too high to qualify for the AOTC.  Otherwise, checking this box does nothing.

If you don't want to claim your child as a dependent, delete them from your return.  But that does not make them eligible for a stimulus check. 

[Hal_Al]

"If you don't want to claim your child as a dependent, delete them from your return.  But that does not make them eligible for a stimulus check. "

But, under the CARES Act, if he is claimed (or can be claimed) as a dependent on someone else’s return he cannot receive a stimulus check, in 2020.   If he was claimed (or can be claimed) as a dependent for 2019, but will not be for 2020, he  will most likely get the stimulus  in 2021.

"In essence, the stimulus check acts as an advance of your 2020 income tax refund. This means when you prepare your 2020 income tax return, there will be a line to include the section 6428 credit. The credit on your 2020 return is subtracted by any amount received as a stimulus check in 2020. If the amount you received as a stimulus check is less than the credit you are due, the difference will be included as part of your 2020 refund. If you have been overpaid by receiving the stimulus check, however, you will not be required to return any excess amount".