Help getting Grandma her stimulus, should I amend a return?

[Bochi]

I was asked by my mother to do my Sister's Taxes, she's never filed because she's severely handicapped however I successfully got her her stimulus money.

I was asked to do the same for my Grandmother, she's in her 80's, a resident and has never filed taxes before. I couldn't really report any income because she doesn't receive anything, i put in the relevant info but unfortunately she has not received any stimulus money. I have not gotten any email stating there was a problem either. I double checked her Taxes and fail to see an issue. I thought perhaps her being a resident could effect things but I come too learn that should NOT be a problem.  I'm not sure what I should do, I want to amend her taxes but don't know where exactly I could make changes to fix something if anything. Is there a resource I can use besides amending her taxes?

[SweetieJean]

Does/can anyone else claim her as Dependent?  If so, she is not eligible for stimulus payments.

What do mean when you say she is a resident?  Do you mean a Resident Alien?  Nursing home resident?

[Bochi]

No, my mother went out of her way to not claim anyone she usually does, including my Grandma. She's a permanent resident.

[VolvoGirl]

So what did you enter on her return?  Were you able to efile it?  If she had no income you needed to enter $1 of interest to create a return for filing.  Then she could get the first 2 Stimulus amounts on 1040 line 30.  Is there an amount on online 30?  It should be 1800 (1200+600).  If line 30 is blank then you will have to amend to claim it.  Did you efile or mail her return?  Maybe it didn't get filed?

[SweetieJean]

my mother went out of her way to not claim anyone she usually does, including my Grandma.

That's a problem, because the rule is that a person is not eligible for stimulus if they qualify to be a Dependent, whether they are actually claimed as one or not.  The IRS is likely to question returns that say a person is Independent if they've previously been claimed as a Dependent (especially over several years).  

[Bochi]

lines 30,32, and 33 all say 1800. lines 12 and 14 say "14050" and basically every other line in the 1040 is blank ."$1 of interest to create a return for filing" im not sure where to do this on the form.

I did efile and i got a message saying it was successfully received.

[Bochi]

that's odd because everything went fine with my sister. The tax deduction is minuscule compared to the stimulus perhaps that is why my mom wanted my Grandma to be non dependent.

[VolvoGirl]

Line 12 is the Standard Deduction for Single over 65.  1800 is for the first 2 stimulus amounts 1200+600.  The 1800 refund should also be on line 35a, right?  Then if the efile was Accepted you are done and good.  You don't have to amend.  It's just taking the IRS longer this year to pay refunds and they are double checking everyone for the Stimulus amounts.  

[NCperson]

@Bochi - if she went out of her way to not claim others, that is fine, there is no requirement that she claim anyone. That is her right and her option.  The IRS doesn't care. 

HOWEVER

note that for the rest of you, the question you are asked on your tax return is CAN you be claimed by someone else, not WERE you claimed by someone else.  See the difference?  Your response to the 'CAN' question is the same regardless of whether you are actually claimed or not. 

[Bochi]

I didnt check any box for "Can someone claim you" although its true that my mom CAN claim her i didn't indicate that. Again, I did this for my sister which gave me zero issues. I hope Volvo girl is correct and I simply have to wait, but its odd that nearly every single member of my extended family got their stimulus and my grandma is the exception.

[Bochi]

OK, welp the thing is Turbotax gives you a rough estimate on when you will receive your tax refund and its long after that date. On top of that nearly every member of my extended family has gotten their stimulus and my Grandma is the only exception. Im just hoping you are correct and I my Grandma simply has to wait.

[fanfare]

Dependents are not allowed to state they cannot be claimed, if that is not true.

However, when big bucks are involved, the rule is often ignored, as demonstrated here.

[NCperson]

@fanfare but rules that are ignored open up taxpayers for penalties - I note the statement  below to others on this thread that every taxpayer signs (electronically) when submitting their tax return as it is printed on the bottom of the return: 

"Under penalties of perjury, I declare that I have examined this return and accompanying schedules and statements, and to the best of my knowledge and belief, they are true, correct, and complete. Declaration of preparer (other than taxpayer) is based on all information of which preparer has any knowledge."

those who don't follow the rules, beware! 

[fanfare]

I like your use of color for emphasis.

[SweetieJean]

Tax fraud is a crime, pure and simple.  Those who game the system make it more expensive for those who are honest.