Independent on taxes question

[Himiko]

If I filed my tax return as a non-filer and I left the dependent box unchecked, and the IRS accepted the return, does that mean they approved that I’m an independent on my taxes? They still haven’t “determined my eligibility for the stimulus payment” yet, but whether I will likely get the stimulus or not depends on whether they approve of my independence or not, so I’m wondering if anyone knows.

[Texas Roger]

That means that no one else efiled before you did and claimed you as a dependent. Has your return been processed and have you received your refund if you were getting one?

Even if no one else claims you as a dependent, you will likely be considered independent for now. Do you think someone will claim you as a dependent? If you met the requirements to be claimed as a dependent by someone else, you are required to check the box that says so.

Have you checked the Get My Payment IRS portal for your stimulus payment: https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment

[Himiko]

On the free file website it says the return is accepted, but it also says “the IRS will process this Information and determine your eligibility for the economic impact payment.”

I’ve been having a back and forth between one of my parents about whether they can claim me as their dependent or not. They think they can claim me as their dependent because technically I get help from someone else for food and a place to sleep, although I payed for some of my own food as well. But I think my parents can’t claim me because in 2019 I was not in college (I only started college in 2020) and I’m 22 years old, and they haven’t been paying for any of my living expenses at all. I haven’t lived with them for 6 years either.

I keep getting the “Payment status not available” error whenever I try to go there.

[NCperson]

@Himiko - suggest slowing down on all the posts..... 

here are the rules for your parents to file you as their dependent:  this is written from your parent's perspective.  ALL the rules must be satisfied. 

• The person either (a) must be related to you or (b) must live with you all year as a member of your household
• The person's gross taxable income for the year must be less than $4,200 in 2019
• You must provide more than half of the person's total support for the year.
• The person must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. resident alien, U.S. national, or a resident of Canada or Mexico

if you do not live with them (and you are not in school full time under the age of 24), you CAN NOT BE their dependent. 

[Himiko]

Then that means they cannot claim me as their dependent. I don’t live with them, I was not in college in 2019, and they haven’t provided me any support at all. So this means that I should be getting the stimulus payment if you’re correct. Thanks.

[NCperson]

have you talked with them on why they are claiming you?  that smells of fraud. 

be sure they do not claim you in 2020 and you'll get that stimulus no later than that (you will have to file to get it) 

[Himiko]

So apparently this was mainly a misunderstanding on their part. The parent I was talking to thought I was in college last year when I wasn’t (see? that’s how little involved they are with me now). So after I clarified that I wasn’t in college last year they conceded and said that I won’t be on their taxes for 2019. Also apparently they didn’t even do their 2019 taxes yet.

So there we have it, I definitely won’t be claimed by them on their taxes and now I have real hope for the stimulus payment.