Stimulus Checks

[gigispirit]

My son receives SSI, and he is employed. He never received the first two stimulus checks last year. He completed a tax return for 2019 and 2020 on TurboTax (direct deposit). However, TurboTax's prompts did not allow him to answer whether he received his stimulus payments or not, as it prompted me when I did my takes on TurboTax for the 2020 tax return. He has since already received his return from 2020. Please advise how he can get the recovery rebate tax credit or those stimulus checks. Would he have to amend his tax 2020 tax return?

[HelenC12]

If he was claimed as a dependent, he may not have gotten the Recovery Rebate Credit prompt. The dependents stimulus payment is on the tax return of the person claiming them. 

At this time, he's not able to  amend a 2020 income tax return. As of today, it's estimated that the IRS will finalize the 1040X form on 3/25/2021. However check the forms availability to see any updates to that date. 

• Once the IRS has finalized the form and your son's return has been processed by the IRS, see How to amend (change or correct) a return you already filed?
• To claim the credit, see How do I claim the Recovery Rebate Credit in TurboTax?

Generally, Form 1040-X,  Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, must be filed within three years of the date the original return was filed, or within two years of the date the tax was paid, whichever is later.

[gigispirit]

Thank you for the quick response.  What you said makes sense. I do claim him as a dependent. The third stimulus check I received $2800 for him and me. So since he is my dependent, how would I collect his last year's stimulus checks that he never received? I completed my 2020 tax return and did not claim the recovery rebate tax.

[MinhT1]

For the first two stimulus, only qualified dependents under age 17 are eligible. Other dependents are not eligible. As he is your dependent but is over 16, he is not eligible for the first two stimulus.

For the third stimulus, all dependents are eligible.