Dependent Issue

[kulick321]

My step son wanted my help with filing his 2020 taxes. One of the questions is the receiving of a stimulus payment in 2020.

Apparently my step son's father has claimed him in the past (including 2019) as a dependent. This I'm sure was done to maximize as much as can be gotten for the father. My step son is 22, away at school ( for 3+ years now)  and does not get support from his father nor live with him more than some days at s time. So obviously some hanky-panky going on. Well, then the stimulus checks started coming and due the the filing status my step son did not get his. He obviously was upset so the father wrote him a check from his personal account to equal the stimulus amount. 

My question for tax year 2020 is how to answer the stimulus question? Say no he did not get one (which is the truth, but then adds it to his return) or...say yes he did, which would not be accurate (and no disbursement will be found matching his name) and let it be? 

He is not trying to get more back but does want this year to be accurate moving forward.

Thank you for your help

[xmasbaby0]

Your stepson's father could not have received stimulus money for him since he was older than 16.  So the money "dad" gave him was merely a gift which does not get entered on a tax return.

If your step son cannot be claimed as anyone's else's dependent for 2020 then he can use the recovery rebate credit to get the stimulus money on his 2020 return.

Does he fit the criteria to be claimed as someone's qualifying child or qualifying relative?

WHO CAN I CLAIM AS A DEPENDENT?

You can claim a child, relative, friend, fiance (etc.) as a dependent on your 2019 taxes as long as they meet the following requirements:

Qualifying child

• They are related to you.

• They cannot be claimed as a dependent by someone else.

• They are a U.S. citizen, resident alien, national, or a Canadian or   Mexican resident.

• They are not filing a joint return with their spouse.

• They are under the age of 19 (or 24 for full-time students).

• No age limit for permanently and totally disabled children

  •      They live with you for more than half the year (exceptions apply).

Qualifying relative

• They don't have to be related to you (despite the name).

• They cannot be claimed as a dependent by someone else.

• They are a U.S. citizen, resident alien, national, or a Canadian or Mexican resident.

• They are not filing a joint return with their spouse.

• They lived with you the entire year.

• They made less than $4300  (not counting Social Security)

• You provided more than half of their financial support. More info

When you add someone as a dependent, we'll ask a series of questions to make sure you can claim them.

Related Information:

• Does a dependent have to live with me?

• What does "financially support another person" mean?

• Can I claim a newborn baby?