How do answer the question regarding the 3rd stimulus payment on my son's taxes since I received the payment and he was mail a check that I advised him not to cash?

[JamesG1]

It sounds like your son received the third stimulus payment whether or not the check was cashed.  The IRS will likely consider the third stimulus payment  as paid when his 2021 Federal 1040 tax return is filed, accepted and reviewed by the IRS.  Finally, the payment is likely recorded on your son's IRS online account.

The qualifications for the third stimulus payment are: 

• you were a U.S. citizen or U.S. resident alien in 2021, 
• you were not a dependent of another taxpayer’s 2020 tax return, and 
• you have a Social Security number. 

There are income limitations are if your adjusted gross income (AGI) is more than: 

• $150,000 if married and filing a joint return or filing as a qualifying widow or widower
• $112,500 if filing as head of household or
• $75,000 if filing as a single or as married filing separately. 

If you did not receive the third stimulus payment, you may receive that amount through a Recovery Rebate Credit found on line 30 of the 2021 Federal 1040 tax return.

[fanfare]

do you still have the check?

If you waited too long, it can no longer be deposited.

You can have it reissued.

[VolvoGirl]

@allisonmarch2021   So you both got a payment?  Were they both for the 3rd Stimulus payment of 1400 per person?  The one that came out starting last March 2021?  That would be strange.    But if someone got a check they weren't qualified for based on  their 2021 return  they can keep it.  

Are you claiming him as a dependent in 2021?  I guess not since it asked on his return about getting it.  Did you claim him last year for 2020?  

[allisonmarch2021]

Thank you! So he was in the age group 17-25 that were not included in the first two stimulus checks and when we did his 2020 taxes ( he claimed himself)  he was able to get them in his refund. When the 3rd round came out I had a direct deposit of 4200.00 so I got 1400.00 for the 3 of us because I claimed him in 2019 then after he got his 2020 refund they mailed him a check for 1400.00 I told him not to cash it because they mailed it in error. I started my taxes and got to the part where they are asking the question of what I received 2800 was already there so I’m going to have to change that to 4200, so I am very confused on how to advise him to answer that question once we start his taxes. 
The check he received was never cashed 

I appreciate any help you can offer 

Thank you 

[VolvoGirl]

Forget about the first 2 for 2020.  

Ok so he did get it.  He can keep it.  Then he should say Yes he got the 3rd Stimulus 1400.  It was right for him to get the 1400 check.  Why did you think it was an error?  It will ask him if he got it.  If he says No and tries to claim it again the IRS will adjust his return because they already sent it to him.  If he can't cash it now I guess he can get a replacement.    See the first question here.  Say it was lost.

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/questions-and-answers-about-the-third-round-economic-impact-payment-top...

Then on your return yes you say you got 4200 which is more that the 2800 you qualify for.   So you don't qualify for any more on your tax return.  And you don't have to pay his back.

The 3rd Stimulus payment is really based on 2021. The IRS just sent the checks out using 2020 or 2019 to get them out fast.  

See IRS Topic B first question
https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/questions-and-answers-about-the-third-economic-impact-payment-topic-b-e...

[DawnC]

When you get to the question about the amount you received, you should enter $4200 and he should enter $1400 - but he can cash that check.    It worked out that way for many people.   You received too much, but you don't have to pay it back.  He should not claim the recovery rebate on his return, he should answer the question that he received the $1400 since in their eyes, he was paid the 3rd stimulus.   Treasury checks are good for one year.   If it has been longer than a year, have the check reissued, but if it has been less than a year, deposit it.   

[VolvoGirl]

The IRS recently updated the help topics for the Stimulus so my links are probably all wrong.  

See IRS Topic H 3rd question – Do I need to pay it back?
https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/questions-and-answers-about-the-third-round-economic-impact-payment-top...