Son's status changed from dependent to not dependent to dependent. How does that affect stimulus checks?

[bgremil]

My son was a dependent on our 2018 taxes, but was a college student, so we did not get anything for him in the first stimulus check.  Then he moved out, so for 2019 he claimed himself.  Which means he should have gotten the first stimulus check ($1200) but didn't.  But he did get the second ($600) and the third ($1400) stimulus checks.  Then he moved back in, so for 2020, we are claiming him again.  Since he already got the $1400, will he owe that back when he files his 2021 taxes (as being claimed by someone else)?

[DMarkM1 · Accepted solution]

No there is no provision to pay back any stimulus money.  He received the stimulus based on the forms on file at the time. 

So you will file your 2020 tax return and claim him as a dependent.  If he files a return for 2020 he should indicate on that return that he can be claimed as a dependent on someone else's return.  

Since he is over age 16, he will not make you eligible for any dependent round one or two stimulus amounts (Recovery Rebate Credit) on your 2020 returns. 

However, you will likely receive a $1400 third round stimulus payment based on your 2020 tax return.  Once it is processed you will likely receive that "Plus up" payment since you already received third round payments based on your 2019 return that did not include him.

That stimulus plus up payment will be sent separately from any tax refunds.