I worked a few months in 2019 and filed taxes for the months I worked. My partner claimed me as a dependent for the months remaining. Neither of us received a stimulus payment for my existence, although he received payments for himself and our children. It's as if I simply don't exist.
He was unable to apply for the Recovery Rebate Credit on my behalf in 2020, and I'm not receiving the option through TurboTax, either. The IRS site says for people who didn't receive payments to file in 2020, even if they wouldn't otherwise file. (I'm a stay-at-home mother who didn't work this year.) When I searched for the credit in TurboTax's help section, it says that it will ask me after checking my federal return, but it didn't.
So now what? Is there any way to claim the credit for me as a person? I really do exist! I seemed to have fallen through the cracks.
Just in case anyone else is in the same position and missed the fine print of the stimulus payments, I'm posting what I found out from a representative of the IRS.
If anyone claims you as a dependent on their tax return, even for a brief period, and you are over the age of 16, there will not be a payment on your behalf to neither you nor the person claiming you.
I asked her if stay-at-home parents essentially don't exist in the land of COVID relief. She laughed and politely affirmed this.
So, there you have it. If you want to receive payments, don't let others claim you. That is all.
Good luck to you all and stay well!
Having serious issues with editing my post, and can't delete my comment. Ah!
Yes. You can prepare a return just to claim the credit. Here is how to do in in TurboTax.
If you didn't receive the full amount for your first or second-round stimulus payments, we'll help you claim the Recovery Rebate Credit when you file your taxes this year.
We'll make sure you get the money you qualify for by double-checking the amount and quantity of stimulus payments you received.
Here’s how:
It’s important that you enter the correct amount of each stimulus payment you received. The first stimulus payments were made between April and September of last year, while the second round of payments were delivered during January and February.
It is called Recovery Rebate Credit in TurboTax.
Just in case anyone else is in the same position and missed the fine print of the stimulus payments, I'm posting what I found out from a representative of the IRS.
If anyone claims you as a dependent on their tax return, even for a brief period, and you are over the age of 16, there will not be a payment on your behalf to neither you nor the person claiming you.
I asked her if stay-at-home parents essentially don't exist in the land of COVID relief. She laughed and politely affirmed this.
So, there you have it. If you want to receive payments, don't let others claim you. That is all.
Good luck to you all and stay well!
Thank you for your quick response! Yes, I had read this within the help section of TurboTax. However, due to my situation, I was ineligible. Until I spoke with an IRS representative, I didn't understand why this was the case. I love working with your site to file taxes, and am so appreciative that you guys make it so easy! Have a great night!