Economic impact statement dated 2021

[elipsett]

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

[ee-ea · Accepted solution]

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

[elipsett]

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

[ee-ea]

Retired after many years a tax professional.

[elipsett]

Thank you. 

It's always difficult to judge if a response is from someone who might actually know, or someone who only thinks they know.