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Level 2
posted Feb 22, 2021 11:08:53 AM

How to enter stimulus payment received in TurboTax

We do married filing joint every year. I have SSN and my wife only have ITIN. So, in the past 5 years I used SSN and my wife used ITIN for the filing. We have two kids. In March 2020, we got our permanent resident status. Now my wife has SSN. This year both of us are filing using our SSN.

Based on the stimulus package requirement everyone must have SSN in the household to be entitled to receive the first stimulus. We received $0 for the first stimulus payment. The requirement that everyone in the household must have SSN was changed for the second stimulus. So, we received $1800 (instead of $2400 because my wife was using ITIN for the filing).  

 This brings up my question. How do we enter the amount of payment that we received in the stimulus section for this year return? If we put $0 for the first stimulus and $1800 for the second stimulus. It says that we have $4000 credit. Based on the requirement to receive stimulus payments, I do not think this is correct. Please advise.

 

Regards   

0 28 22893
1 Best answer
Expert Alumni
Feb 22, 2021 1:46:21 PM

Under the initial rule, when the first stimulus payment was issued, if one spouse in a married filing jointly tax return does not have a Social Security number, neither spouse can receive the stimulus payment.

 

Under the rules of the second stimulus payment, if one spouse does not have a Social Security number, the spouse with a Social Security number and the qualifying children with a Social Security number will receive the stimulus check.

 

The COVID-19 Relief Package retroactively changed the rule for the first stimulus payment to be the same as the rule for the second stimulus payment.

 

However, no first stimulus payment will be issued.  The payment is issued on your 2020 tax return as a Recovery Rebate Credit (RRC).  You can access your stimulus check choices by following these steps:

  • Down the left side of the screen, click on Federal.
  • Across the top of the screen, click on Other Tax Situations.
  • At the screen Let’s keep going to wrap up.  Click on Let’s keep going.
  • At the screen Let’s make sure you got the right stimulus amount, click Continue.
  • At the screen Did you get a stimulus payment? you can update your stimulus check entries.

 Examples

 

Former first stimulus check rules:

 

John and Mary are married and filed their taxes jointly. Mary has an SSN and John does not. John and Mary are ineligible for the first stimulus check and miss out on $2,400.

 

Second stimulus check rules:

 

John and Mary are married and filed their taxes jointly. Mary has an SSN and John does not. Mary is eligible for a second stimulus check of $600 even though John is ineligible. Since the SSN rule change is retroactive, Mary can also get the first stimulus check of $1,200 as the Recovery Rebate Credit when she and John file their 2020 tax return.

 

See also here and here.

24 Replies
Expert Alumni
Feb 22, 2021 12:15:27 PM

You should have received $2,400 for the two of you for the first stimulus and $1,000 for the kids, assuming they were under ager 17. You should have received $2,400 for the second one for all of you. So, if you received $1,800, the difference would be $4,000.

 

The IRS goes off of what is on your tax return for 2020 to figure your stimulus benefit, not what was on your 2019 tax return, that was just used to estimate what you would enter in 2020. So, the stimulus payment you have due you seems accurate.

Level 2
Feb 22, 2021 12:46:29 PM

Thanks Thomas. Based on the requirement to receive stimulus payments, we should not entitled to get the first stimulus and we should entitled to get $1800 (myself and two of kids) for the second one. This is because my wife filed using ITIN in past years.  We did receive $1800 for the second stimulus. So, there should not be any amount due. It should be $0 credit instead of $4000 credit.

 

I know it is sound funny to complain for getting some money, but I want to make sure everything is correct.     

Expert Alumni
Feb 22, 2021 1:46:21 PM

Under the initial rule, when the first stimulus payment was issued, if one spouse in a married filing jointly tax return does not have a Social Security number, neither spouse can receive the stimulus payment.

 

Under the rules of the second stimulus payment, if one spouse does not have a Social Security number, the spouse with a Social Security number and the qualifying children with a Social Security number will receive the stimulus check.

 

The COVID-19 Relief Package retroactively changed the rule for the first stimulus payment to be the same as the rule for the second stimulus payment.

 

However, no first stimulus payment will be issued.  The payment is issued on your 2020 tax return as a Recovery Rebate Credit (RRC).  You can access your stimulus check choices by following these steps:

  • Down the left side of the screen, click on Federal.
  • Across the top of the screen, click on Other Tax Situations.
  • At the screen Let’s keep going to wrap up.  Click on Let’s keep going.
  • At the screen Let’s make sure you got the right stimulus amount, click Continue.
  • At the screen Did you get a stimulus payment? you can update your stimulus check entries.

 Examples

 

Former first stimulus check rules:

 

John and Mary are married and filed their taxes jointly. Mary has an SSN and John does not. John and Mary are ineligible for the first stimulus check and miss out on $2,400.

 

Second stimulus check rules:

 

John and Mary are married and filed their taxes jointly. Mary has an SSN and John does not. Mary is eligible for a second stimulus check of $600 even though John is ineligible. Since the SSN rule change is retroactive, Mary can also get the first stimulus check of $1,200 as the Recovery Rebate Credit when she and John file their 2020 tax return.

 

See also here and here.

Level 2
Feb 22, 2021 1:54:52 PM

Thanks! I did not know that that the COVID-19 Relief Package retroactively changed the rule for the first stimulus payment to be the same as the rule for the second stimulus payment.  It makes sense now. 

New Member
Apr 29, 2021 7:42:37 AM

Didn't work. I had seen that question when I had first started my return but couldn't find the form.

Now I have the form but following the steps and it doesn't ask the question.
I've tried a bunch of times.

 

Expert Alumni
Apr 29, 2021 8:40:32 AM

@Migill['p]a99 Please provide additional details for your question.  What is your question regarding the Stimulus payments so that we can address your situation.

Level 2
May 10, 2021 1:15:30 PM

I am stuck!

 

I went online & created an IRS account to view my Stimulus payments ~ it does not match my bank and what Autofilled in Turbo Tax.

 

I am married, filed jointly and have 2 kids.

 

Turbo Tax said:

First Round: $2900

Second Round: $1800

 

IRS Said: 

First Round: $1700 (is that just for me or both my wife and I?)

Second Round: $1200 (same question)

 

I got $3400, which I thought was $1200 for each of us and $500 for each of the 2 kids

Then I got $2400, which I thought was $600 a person.


I am very confused and makes a huge difference to my return.

Do I match IRS and say $1700/$1200 when I know that is not correct?

 

PLEASE HELP

Level 15
May 10, 2021 1:21:19 PM

Enter the amounts you actually got in the 2 boxes.  Looks like you got the right amounts so you don't qualify for any more.  Make sure your 1040 line 30 is 0 or blank.  It's ok you already got more than you qualify for based on your 2020 return.  Did one of your children turn 17 in 2020?  You don't have to pay any back.  

 

 

Level 15
May 10, 2021 1:29:44 PM

I can try to break it down for you.  One child must have turned 17 in 2020.  So Turbo Tax is saying you should have got 2400 for married plus 500 for 1 Dependent = 2900.  And 3 people for the second one 3x600=1800.

 

For the IRS, looks like they are just showing for 1 spouse and 1 Dependent.  1200+500=1700 and 2 people x 600=1200.  Don't know why that is not including the other spouse.

 

The 3400 and 2400 you already got is more.  You don't have to pay any back.  Just don't try to claim any again on line 30.

Level 2
May 10, 2021 3:18:42 PM

That makes sense - I did have a child that turned 17 in 2020.  The thing I am confused by is, when I enter in the 3400 and 2400, my balance owed jumps... I did not expect anything to change and it is confusing me... 

 

In turbotax... I don't understand.

You did achieve a miracle on the amounts, so helpful.


Do you know why my return shows I owe a lot more when entered?

Level 2
May 10, 2021 3:21:41 PM

It shifs my overall tax liability by about $1500! 
That does not make sense to me, so I must have something wrong.

Level 15
May 10, 2021 3:27:18 PM

No.  That is expected.  

 

TurboTax first calculates what you should receive based on the tax information you entered and add that to your refund, so the refund appears to go up.  Then it asks if you received any or all of that amount and subtracts anything already received so the refund amount goes back down.    Until you tell it how much you received it does not know how much to remove.

Level 2
May 10, 2021 3:54:49 PM

This was all very helpful & has helped to restore some sanity.

I did not expect my taxes to jump the way they did, I owed a small amount and now I owe almost $1500+ more than what I was before entering in the amounts.  I am still confused, but not as bad.  Just have to keep staring at it.


Do appreciate that help!  Invaluable

 

 

New Member
May 13, 2021 12:28:43 PM

I didnt get a second stimulus check at all. Where is this accounted for

Level 15
May 13, 2021 12:40:01 PM

When you go through the federal review tab it will ask how much you got if any.  Enter a 0 in the box if you didn't get one.  Or to enter your stimulus payment in TurboTax, type "stimulus" (without the quotes) in the Search box, then click the link that says "Jump to stimulus."

 

After you have entered your tax information and are ready for the Federal Review, it will be the first question.

 

If you are trying to trigger it, you can go to Other Situations, answer any questions and click Done. The next automatic selection is Federal Review and it will ask about payments received.

 

If you didn't get one or both of the Stimulus payments or qualify for more it will be the Recovery rebate credit on 1040 line 30.  It either adds to your refund or reduced a tax due.

 

If you are a dependent or your 2020 income is too high you won't get prompted for the Stimulus section since you can't qualify for any more.  And you don't have to enter what you already got and don't have to pay it back.  1040 line 30 is only if you qualify for more not what you already got.

New Member
May 17, 2021 10:32:30 AM

Does anyone here know 'where' to enter the stimulus funds received in 2020?  

 

#home&Business

Expert Alumni
May 17, 2021 2:49:56 PM

When you are going to the federal review, the stimulus questions pop.

If you are trying to trigger it,

  1. go to Other Situations
  2. click Done. 
  3. The next question will ask about payments received.

or see How do I claim the Recovery Rebate Credit?  

 

 

@lrogersatx

New Member
Feb 7, 2022 11:10:35 AM

My wife and I received 1400 each and i dont know how and where in turbotax to enter that information

 

 

Expert Alumni
Feb 7, 2022 11:21:12 AM

When you get to the final review section, TurboTax will ask you if you received the third stimulus payment.  That is where you will enter it for both you and your wife. 

Level 15
Feb 7, 2022 11:34:51 AM

To get to the stimulus questions in TurboTax at any time, you can search for stimulus and use the Jump to link. After you have entered your tax information and are ready for the Federal Review, it will be the first question.

 

If you are trying to trigger it, you can go to Other Situations, answer any questions and click Done. The next automatic selection is Federal Review and it will ask about payments received.

New Member
Mar 4, 2022 8:52:53 AM

the federal form does not provide the screen asking about my third stimulus check amount (letter 6475).  how do I enter this information if the prompt does not appear?

 

Level 15
Mar 4, 2022 8:57:13 AM

@jam78 If the questions about the recovery rebate credit are not appearing in Federal Review for you then either you said you can be claimed as someone else's dependent or your income is too high and you are not eligible to receive the credit.

 

 

Generally, if you’re a U.S. citizen or U.S. resident alien, you are eligible for $1,400 ($2,800  for a joint return), plus $1,400 for each qualifying dependent, if you (and your spouse if filing a joint return) aren’t a dependent of another taxpayer on a 2020 tax return, have a valid Social Security number (SSN) (see exception when married filing jointly and exception for qualified dependents) and your adjusted gross income (AGI) does not exceed:

  • $150,000 if married and filing a joint return or if filing as a qualifying widow or widower
  • $112,500 if filing as head of household or
  • $75,000 for eligible individuals using any other filing statuses, such as single filers and married people filing separate returns.

Payments will be phased out – or reduced -- above those AGI amounts. This means taxpayers will not receive a third payment if their AGI exceeds:

  • $160,000 if married and filing a joint return or if filing as a qualifying widow or widower
  • $120,000 if filing as head of household or
  • $80,000 for eligible individuals using other filing statuses, such as single filers and married people filing separate returns.

Level 3
Mar 27, 2022 7:45:14 AM

I received the third stimulus check in 2021. I cannot seem to find where I can input that information in turbotax DESKTOP. Please help.

 

Looking at my salary this year, I made about $100K so I assume they may want a refund. Please help!

Level 15
Mar 27, 2022 7:48:41 AM


@21mat5 wrote:

I received the third stimulus check in 2021. I cannot seem to find where I can input that information in turbotax DESKTOP. Please help.

 

Looking at my salary this year, I made about $100K so I assume they may want a refund. Please help!


If your 2021 Adjusted Gross Income is over the maximum for the Recovery Rebate Credit the stimulus question will not be presented.  You keep the 3rd stimulus payment you received.

• Single or married filing separately—$80,000
• Married filing jointly or qualifying widow(er)—$160,000
• Head of household—$120,000