turbotax icon
cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 
Announcements
Close icon
Do you have a TurboTax Online account?

We'll help you get started or pick up where you left off.

I didnt have children in 2018. I now have 2. Can I add them for the covid-19 stimulus ? If so how?

 
x
Do you have an Intuit account?

Do you have an Intuit account?

You'll need to sign in or create an account to connect with an expert.

5 Replies
MinhT1
Employee Tax Expert

I didnt have children in 2018. I now have 2. Can I add them for the covid-19 stimulus ? If so how?

The stimulus bill has not been signed into law yet and we have to wait for instructions from the Government.

**Say "Thanks" by clicking the thumb icon in a post
**Mark the post that answers your question by clicking on "Mark as Best Answer"

I didnt have children in 2018. I now have 2. Can I add them for the covid-19 stimulus ? If so how?

Have you filed your 2019 taxes yet? if so, those dependents should be picked up when they calculate the stimuls payments. If don't file before the payments are created, it will work itself out when you file next year. 

 

I've come across more information on how these stimulus rebates will work.  The link  below is the best analysis I have come across and should help a number of those on this thread understand 'who claimed who' and how this appears it will settle out:

 

https://www.cbh.com/guide/alerts/cares-act-what-you-need-to-know/

 

(scroll down to "Recovery Rebates")

 

Basically, the stimulus payments are an advance against 2020 tax returns. 

 

When we complete 2020 tax returns, we will each re-calculate the stimulus payments based on 2020 tax returns  (income, qualifying children, etc).  

 

Whatever that re-calculated number is LESS what you already received will be an additional credit on your tax return, which would increase your refund or reduce how much you owe.  Let's say you didn't claim a child in 2019 but did in 2020 as an example that could create the credit

 

And here is the kicker, if that recalculated number is negative (meaning your stimulus payment was higher than you were really entitled to based on your 2020 tax return), YOU WILL NOT owe that money back.  Let's say you claimed a child in 2019 who was 16 but in 2020 they were 17 as an example on how the recalculated number could be negative,  (a 16 year old is a qualifying child for the $500 but the 17 year old is not eligible)

 

I didnt have children in 2018. I now have 2. Can I add them for the covid-19 stimulus ? If so how?

Your child must have been born in 2019 to go on your 2019 tax return.

I didnt have children in 2018. I now have 2. Can I add them for the covid-19 stimulus ? If so how?

@fanfare - but it appears even children born in 2020 (or not born yet this year) will be eligible for the $500 credit once their parents complete their 2020 tax return next year.    The money to be received shortly are just a payment against the credits to be calculated on the 2020 tax return.  

 

So in the end whether you filed in 2018 or 2019 is not going to be the FINAL determining factor of the credit you receive - it will be the 2020 tax return.  And if it turns out you received too much stimulus money you will not be required to return it, but if you did not receive enough, you will receive the rest as a credit in your 2020 tax return.  read the link I provided further back in this thread. 

I didnt have children in 2018. I now have 2. Can I add them for the covid-19 stimulus ? If so how?

The gum'nt is good at giving money away but not so good at figuring how to pay for it.

 

I predict even more helicopter money will be arriving if Pelosi has her way.

Unlock tailored help options in your account.

message box icon

Get more help

Ask questions and learn more about your taxes and finances.

Post your Question