Covid-19 stimulus

[3238290461]

So I live with my sister 5 years ago she use me as a dependent 5 years ago now I found out she's using me still and I don't live with her I told her to stop but she's blocking my convert 19 stimulus what can I do

[DoninGA]

You do not have to live with someone for them to claim you as a dependent if you are eligible to be a dependent.

If you are age 19 or older, not a full time student under the age of 24, have gross income of less than $4,200 and they are providing over one-half of your support along with the other requirements under the Qualifying Relative rules.

To be a Qualifying Relative -

1. The person cannot be your qualifying child or the qualifying child of any other taxpayer. A child is not the qualifying child of any other taxpayer if the child's parent (or any other person for whom the child is defined as a qualifying child) is not required to file an income tax return or files an income tax return only to get a refund on income tax withheld.
2. The person either (a) must be related to you or (b) must live with you all year as a member of your household.
3. The person's gross income for the year must be less than $4,200 (social security does not count) in 2019
4. You must provide more than half of the person's total support for the year.
5. The person must be a U.S. citizen or a U.S., Canada, or Mexico resident for some part of the year.
6. The person must not file a joint return with their spouse.

If you are not eligible to be claimed as a dependent then you can claim the stimulus payment on your 2020 tax return to be filed in 2021.

[Opus 17 · Accepted solution]

If you can be claimed as a dependent, you must check the box on your tax return that you can be claimed even if you don't want to.

Your sister can claim you as a dependent if your taxable income is less than $4250 for 2020, and if she pays more than half your living expenses, and if you aren't married filing a joint return with your spouse.  You do not have to live in the same home.

If you can't be claimed as a dependent, then you should be able to claim a stimulus payment on your 2020 tax return (if you did not receive one in 2019), make sure you do not check the box that says "I can be claimed as a dependent."  If your sister does claim you as a dependent, the IRS will automatically investigate both of you, usually starting 6-9 months after you file.