Tax Year Prior to 2020: If someone claims me as a dependent can i still file taxes

[Lab6661]

How can I do my taxes and how can I get my stimulus check 

[Lab6661]

How?

[Hal_Al]

@Lab6661  The topic of this thread is whether dependents have to or are allowed to file a tax return. .

Your question is off topic.  Search stimulus for dependents or start a new question. 

That said, here's some previously posted info on that topic:

Under the CARES Act, if you are claimed as a dependent on someone else’s return you cannot receive a stimulus check, in 2020.   If you were claimed as a dependent for 2019, but will not be for 2020, you will most likely get it  in 2021.

In regards to the stimulus payment, when you file your 2020 income tax return, you will be asked for information about the amount of the stimulus payment you received, and if it is less than you are entitled to, you will be given a credit on your 2020 tax return.

"In essence, the stimulus check acts as an advance of your 2020 income tax refund. This means when you prepare your 2020 income tax return, there will be a line to include the section 6428 credit. The credit on your 2020 return is subtracted by any amount received as a stimulus check in 2020. If the amount you received as a stimulus check is less than the credit you are due, the difference will be included as part of your 2020 refund. If you have been overpaid by receiving the stimulus check, however, you will not be required to return any excess amount".

https://blog.turbotax.intuit.com/tax-news/what-the-coronavirus-covid-19-stimulus-bill-means-for-your...

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/tax-topics/help/how-will-the-stimulus-package-impact-me/00/1393859

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/tax-credits-deductions/discussion/re-dependency-question/01/148683...  amend to uncheck can be claimed box

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/taxes/discussion/re-if-i-removed-my-25-year-old-as-a-dependent-and... Parents amend to unclaim

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/college-education/discussion/i-am-a-college-student-who-filed-my-o... student claiming himself

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/tax-topics/help/stimulus-how-to-file-your-return-after-getting-rej... TT FAQ Amending non filer 6/25/20

[NCperson]

when you complete your 2020 tax return in early 2021, there will be a place on the tax return to calculate whether you are due a stimulus payment.   Suggest just waiting until then,  When you have completed your tax return, look at line 30 of Form 1040.  

[xmasbaby0]

@Lab6661   As Hal_Al mentioned, your question is somewhat off-topic for this thread. but there is something else in your question that we should address:

You wrote:

im on SSD and I don't normally do taxes. I don't ow anything and I don't get anything. My spouse has claimed me in the past but I didn't know that he was still coming me.  2018, 2019 ,2020 should not have been a dependent on anyone's taxes. 

What did you mean by "my spouse has claimed me...." ?  You cannot be claimed as a dependent by a spouse.  If you were married you could file a joint return with your spouse.  That is not the same as being claimed as a dependent.  Are you married at this time?  If so, you can still file a joint return with your spouse and get the stimulus money for a married couple.  If you are no longer married and are a "non-filer" because you only have Social Security disability for your income, that is a different situation.  If you are Single and only receive Social Security then you should have received a stimulus check of $1200 automatically in the same account to which your monthly benefit is sent.  Did you mean you are no longer married but your ex is still claiming you as a dependent on a tax return?  Please explain so that we can be more helpful.

[Lab6661]

We have never ben married he is just the father of my kids

[Lab6661]

please i need to know what to do. We have now split up and im solely caring for our children and i could rilly use that return . 

[Lab6661]

I tried to file but it send i couldn't because me soshel was on a nother tax form in witch I never knew he did that 

[xmasbaby0]

@Lab6661 So your former BF claimed you as a dependent incorrectly/fraudulently?  Did he claim the children too?  If you are the custodial parent---the parent the children spend the most nights with--then YOU are the one who can claim the children as your dependents and you are the one who should have received $500 stimulus for each child who has a Social Security number and is under the age of 17.  Wish you would have asked sooner. We could have helped.   It is now too late to fix this for a 2019 return.

But you can file a 2020 tax return and get the stimulus money that you should be eligible for.  There will be a place to enter it on a 2020 tax form--it will go to line 30.  Please seek help here in the forum right away if/when you encounter any problem with your 2020 return.

Meanwhile to report the tax fraud--if indeed your ex committed tax fraud--

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1900655-what-to-do-if-you-suspect-tax-related-identity-theft

Most important) Follow the IRS procedures for reporting a fraudulent return, documented here: www.irs.gov/uac/Taxpayer-Guide-to-Identity-Theft

IRS INFORMATION REFERRAL TO REPORT VIOLATION OF TAX LAW

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f3949a.pdf

If your Social Security number is compromised and you know or suspect you are a victim of tax-related identity theft, take these additional steps:

• Respond immediately to any IRS notice; call the number provided.
• Complete IRS Form 14039, Identity Theft Affidavit. Then print and mail or fax according to the instructions. 
• Continue to pay your taxes and file your tax return, even if you must do so by paper.

If your ex tries this again for a 2020 return, you will need to print sign and mail your 2020 tax return instead of e-filing it.  That way your return will be processed by a human and it will be looked at.  If he has been claiming you or the children when he should not have claimed you or them, he will face penalties and repayment of any child-related credits he received.  You might want to let him know so he can start amending his returns before he gets a nasty letter from the IRS.

[shanayecook29]

If someone claims me as a dependent if work would be able to file my taxes? With my w2

[Hal_Al]

Yes. You just check the box on form 1040 that says someone can claim you as a dependent . In TurboTax, you indicate that somebody else can claim you as a dependent, at the personal information section.  

[VolvoGirl]

Yes you might have to file a return.  

You don't have to file if you only have W2 income under 12,400 but you can file to get back any withholding taken out in boxes 2 or 17.  But you don't get boxes 4 or 6 back.  If you got a 1099Misc or 1099NEC you have to file it as self employment income no matter how small the amount.

To file a separate return as a dependent you need to set up a new account separate from your parents.  Online is only good for one return per account.  You can use the same email address for 5 accounts.  You can probably use the Free Edition or the Free File website

Https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1894512-how-do-i-start-another-return-in-turbotax-online 

Be sure on your return you check the box that says you can be claimed on someone else’s return.  If your only income is W2 and under 12,400 you do not have to file a return except to get back any withholding taken out.

Filing requirements for a dependent

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/children-dependents/help/do-i-need-to-file-my-own-taxes-if-i-m-a-d...

[ndelbrueck]

What is the downside for my son if we declare him as a dependent on our taxes. Does he lose is personal exemption when he files his taxes? what else?

[VolvoGirl]

There is no more personal exemption.  Everyone gets the same Standard Deduction now.  Although a dependent Deduction might be less.  Even if you don't claim him he might still qualify as your dependent.  

Does he qualify as your dependent?  Who can you claim
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/credits-and-deductions/help/who-can-i-claim-as-my-dependent/01/267...

Does he need to file a return?  Be sure on their return they check the box that says they can be claimed on someone else’s return. If their only income is W2 and under 12,400 they do not have to file a return except to get back any withholding taken out.

Filing requirements for a dependent
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/children-dependents/help/do-i-need-to-file-my-own-taxes-if-i-m-a-d...

[DMarkM1]

In addition to what @VolvoGirl posted, if he cannot be claimed as a dependent on someone else's 2020 tax return he may be eligible to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit.  That would be up to $1800 on his tax return.  

Here is a link with more information on the the Recovery Rebate Credit.