Why sign in to the Community?

  • Submit a question
  • Check your notifications
Sign in to the Community or Sign in to TurboTax and start working on your taxes
New Member
posted Feb 15, 2021 2:39:25 PM

If i didnt receive a stimulus payment or mymother Since i am 18 can i get the credit on my taxes?

0 2 335
2 Replies
Expert Alumni
Feb 15, 2021 2:55:52 PM

No. Whether she claimed you or not, you are probably still a dependent.

 

Qualifying Child

 

Relationship — the taxpayer’s child or stepchild (whether by blood or adoption), foster child, sibling or step-sibling, or a descendant of one of these.

Residence — has the same principal residence as the taxpayer for more than half the tax year. Exceptions apply, in certain cases, for children of divorced or separated parents, kidnapped children, temporary absences, and for children who were born or died during the year.

Age must be under the age of 19 at the end of the tax year, or under the age of 24 if a full-time student for at least five months of the year, or be permanently and totally disabled at any time during the year.

Support — did not provide more than one-half of his/her own support for the year.

Level 3
Feb 15, 2021 4:33:15 PM

Without knowing the specifics, I'm guessing you were a dependent on your mom's 2018 tax return, her 2019 tax return, and possibly will be on her 2020 tax return. Unfortunately, only children 16 years old and younger in 2020 were considered qualified dependents in calculating the amount paid to parents for the first and second stimulus checks (which are considered 2020 tax refund advances).
If you turned 18 in 2020, filing your own tax return, and are no longer a dependent on your mom's 2020 return, you MAY qualify for the Recovery Rebate Credit (which is an adjustment if you did not receive, or received the wrong amount of the two stimulus payments) on your 2020 tax return. However, I'm NOT positive about this.  I believe if you use tax software it should prompt you to answer questions which determine your eligibility for this Credit.
HOWEVER,  If you are still your mom's dependent, the proposed third stimulus payment (currently $1400) WOULD allow your mom to receive payment for you as an adult dependent in the calculation for her stimulus (at the same amount, currently $1400).
I'd STRONGLY advise you to check with your mom as to whether she is correctly planning to claim you as a dependent (e.g., you're a student and/or living with her and she is supporting you) BEFORE you file as a non-dependent.
If you can be more specific about your 2020 status (are you a student? do you live at home? what was your 2020 income?) that might help as well.
If I get more info I will post again.