can I return economic stimulus money and being filed as a dependent for 2019 tax year?

[iqone800]

I am a new immigrant since the end of 2018 and hence didn't yet filed tax return before. Back in April when economic stimulus check was sent, my son helped me filed a non-filer filing because my low income qualifies for this check. However, at the time neither my son nor myself had filed tax for 2019. Now while we did the tax filing using turbotax, the software gives a larger amount of credit than the stimulus check if I can file as my son's dependent, which I also qualify based on all the criteria. So the question now is: can i return the stimulus money and keep a dependent status? I know I wouldn't quafify to get the $1200 if my son files me as his dependent, but I am willing to give back the $1200 to to help my son to maximize the credit, but can't find a way to return the money to IRS. Any way suggestion?

[Carl]

The stimulus payment is based on your 2020 tax status. The IRS just used the 2018 and 2019 returns as a guide. So there are some people such as yourself who received the stimulus that just flat out didn't qualify for it.

Keep the money "for now". When you complete your 2020 taxes, if you are claimed as a dependent on any one else's tax return, and you indicate that on your tax return, you "may or may not" be required to return that money (with no penalties) upon filing your 2020 tax return. So for now, don't spend that money if you haven't already, and expect to have to repay it with your 2020 tax return.

As it stands right now, the IRS says that those who were overpaid will not have to pay back the over payment amount. But there as been no clarity provided as of yet for cases where stimulus money was paid to a recipient that didn't qualify for it.

[Critter-3]

Ok ... the BEST your son can get for claiming you on his return is $500  so the $1200 you already got is BETTER so keep it.