I'm unable to find info for the Recovery Rebate Credit; it isn't popping up under federal credits as I read that it should. Does anyone know why this is?

[JamesG1]

Do you have access to these steps?  In TurboTax Online, you are prompted to input stimulus check 1 and stimulus check 2 information under Review down the left hand side of the screen.

Or these steps?  You can also access your stimulus check choices by following these steps: 

• Down the left side of the screen, click on Federal.
• Across the top of the screen, click on Other Tax Situations.
• At the screen Let’s keep going to wrap up.  Click on Let’s keep going.
• At the screen Let’s make sure you got the right stimulus amount, click Continue.
• At the screen Did you get a stimulus payment? you can update your stimulus check entries. 

If you have not received one or both of your stimulus checks, you will receive your payment in the form of a Recovery Rebate Credit on line 30 of your 2020 Federal tax return when you file.

TurboTax will compare your one or two stimulus payment amounts to the computations within TurboTax.  The computations within TurboTax are based upon the information that you have entered into the tax software.  If you are due an additional amount, it will be issued as a Recovery Rebate Credit (RRC) on line 30 of the 2020 1040 tax return.

See also this TurboTax Help.

[Jerry_H]

As mentioned in my original post, I am using the CD software not Online.  And also like the other posters, no it does not prompt for the stimulus information, this is the issue.

[JamesG1]

@Jerry_H

In TurboTax Desktop, you are prompted to input stimulus check 1 and stimulus check 2 information under Personal / Federal Review across the top of the screen.

At the screen It looks like you qualified for the stimulus, answer Yes or No.

You can also access your stimulus check choices by following these steps: 

• Across the top of the screen, click on Personal.
• Across the top of the screen, click on Other Tax Situations.
• Scroll to the bottom and click Done with Other.
• At the screen It looks like you qualified for the stimulus, answer Yes or No.

[Jerry_H]

That is the screen that doesn't come up.  It is not being triggered.  A bug?  Seems like others are seeing this as well.

When I did my taxes for my wife and I it came up and I was able to answer yes, and even add the corrected amounts.  With my son's it just skips that step entirely and does the federal check, you never have the opportunity to address the stimulus payments yes or no or enter any values.  All were done using the desktop version.

[JamesG1]

@Jerry_H

In TurboTax Desktop Home and Business, I am able to enter all the entries that were outlined in my previous communications.  This software was updated this morning.

To update, in the upper left hand corner, click Online / Check for updates.

[Jerry_H]

JamesG1, 

It appears that there is a flaw in the logic.  In 2019 my son was employed and made enough that he was not eligible to be claimed as a dependent.  So he qualified for the Stimulus both 1 & 2.  In 2020 he was not employed and had $0 income and qualifies as a Dependent Other Credit form me for 2020.

I have found that by saying someone else can claim him this year and with his $0 income (no W2s) the question at the federal review stage doesn't trigger to have you enter the stimulus payment.  HOWEVER, if I say no one will claim him as a dependent that it does ask the question.  Since the Stimulus qualification is based off of the 2019 taxes, this should not be the case.  Had he actually received both payments as he should have, we would not be filing for him due to the $0 income and he qualifies as a dependent OTHER $500 credit on my taxes.

Again, a flaw in the logic for the question.  Also, I did confirm that I have the latest updates (per the response to from the desktop version after running check for updates), so this scenario is obviously not addressed in the logic.  He should be able to file to get the initial 1,200 payment, while recognizing that he got the $600 2nd stimulus, and I should be able to claim him this year as a Dependent Other and get the $500 credit.

[Cynthiad66]

Yes.

You should say that no one else can claim him as a dependent then you claim him as a dependent with all rights.

He can still file a return just to get his missing stimulus with $0 income.  The system is setup to allow  him file but he must say that he is being claimed as a dependent by someone else.

The Recovery Rebate worksheet will popup for him and he will be able to file for his rebate credit.

Have your son follow these instructions:

To claim the recovery rebate, you must file a 2020 tax return, even if you aren’t required to file.

To do this in TurboTax, please follow these steps:

1. Go to TurboTax.com and select the Free version.
2. Enter your personal info.
3. Select Federal Review at the top of the screen.
4. On the Let's make sure you got the right stimulus amount screen, select Continue.
5. You’ll be asked about the amounts of first round and second round stimulus payments you should have received. TurboTax will calculate the amount of stimulus payment remaining that you’re entitled to. This will show as a credit on line 30 of the 1040.

If you have no taxable income in your return, you’ll have to print your finished return and mail it in.

For more info on the recovery rebate credit, go here.

Use this link for more information:  How to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit With No Income

[Jerry_H]

You have a contradiction in your reply.  You say to have him say no one claim and enter the info and I can file and claim him with all rights, then you say he must state that someone can claim him when he files.

This is not possible as the rebate is removed if you change the status to someone can claim him after entering the stimulus numbers of 0 & 600 for payments 1 &2. 

Also I know that my return will be in question if I claim him and he says no one can.

How about a real answer without the contradictory canned responses!

[Jerry_H]

These 2 underlined statements contradict each other.  Also the first statement would get one or both of our returns hung up because they don't match!

You should say that no one else can claim him as a dependent then you claim him as a dependent with all rights.

He can still file a return just to get his missing stimulus with $0 income.  The system is setup to allow  him file but he must say that he is being claimed as a dependent by someone else.

[VolvoGirl]

Sorry you missed out.  The first 2 Stimulus payment are really based on your 2020 return.  If you do not qualify for the Recovery Rebate Credit because of your 2020 tax situation then you will not be able to get the missed stimulus payment.

And see the employee expert answer here

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/taxes/discussion/recovery-rebate-credit-stimulus-incorrect/00/1942...

She said......

If you do not qualify for the Recovery Rebate Credit because of your 2020 tax situation then you will not be able to get the missed stimulus payment.

[DawnC]

The advance stimulus payments were based on the last return filed, but the actual credit is dependent on your 2020 tax situation.  So here is what happened - -  When the first round of checks went out, the IRS used his 2019 (where he was not a dependent on your return) and sent him the first check.   For whatever reason, he did not get the second one.  Payments you did not receive are claimed on the 2020 tax return.   But if you claim him as a dependent for the $500 credit on your 2020 tax return, he cannot claim the recovery rebate on his return.   There is no reason for him to file a 2020 tax return if you are going to claim him.    He does not have to return the $1200 he received from the first round.

To claim the Recovery Rebate Credit on his return, your son

• Must be owed an additional amount based on the information in this year’s 2020 Tax Filing. The maximum amounts are:
  • First payment: $1,200 ($2,400 if married filing jointly for 2020) plus $500 for each qualifying child you had in 2020; and
  • Second payment: $600 ($1,200 if married filing jointly for 2020) plus $600 for each qualifying child you had in 2020
• Must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. resident alien,
• Have a valid Social Security number, and
• He can’t have been claimed as a dependent on someone else’s 2020 tax return 

If you do not qualify to claim him as a dependent (you did not provide over half of his support), he can file independent and claim the $600 missing payment.  But in this case, you would not get the $500.   If you can claim him, even if you don't, he can't claim the recovery rebate.   He can't be claimed on 2 tax returns.   The next round will provide a payment to adult dependents, so this won't be an issue.

@Jerry_H

[Jerry_H]

First, he missed the first $1200 payment NOT the second $600.  Please read the information carefully.

He did qualify based on his 2019, and if he had received the $1200 (missed) and the $600 (which he received), then based off the 2020 status of him not working $0 income and me paying for over half (all) of his expenses, I qualify for the $500.

I am getting inconsistent answers mixed in with auto "canned" responses for the Online version (I am using the desktop) and am getting extremely frustrated.  Is there someone I can call?

[VolvoGirl]

How old is he?  If he was 17 or older in 2020 you don't get the 500 or 600 either for claiming him as a dependent.

Then for his return.   Sorry the Recovery rebate credit is really really based on his 2020 return and situation.  Since he is now a dependent he doesn't qualify for any of it.  But he does not have to pay the $600 he got back.  They sent out the first 2 payments using his 2018 or 2019 return just to send it out fast.  It was an Advance to be reconciled on your 2020 return.  Lots of people got the payments that don't qualify now based on 2020 and they don't have to pay it back.

[ErnieS0]

If you are using CD\Desktop

• Select Forms in the upper right.
• In Forms in My Return, search for Recov Rebate Cr. You will probably not see it. @VolvoGirl probably correctly described what happened with your son.
• Click Open Form at the top of the left column
• In Search type recovery. Select Recovery Rebate Credit Worksheet, then Open Form. This will force the Recovery Rebate Credit worksheet to open, even if it is not needed.
• Line 21 of the worksheet will show how the RRC is computed and why your son did not get the RRC.

[teresamorgan0301969]

Hello, @AmyC @ErnieS0 

I have done all this and it is still not populating, is there a glitch in the TT software?  And I do qualify I just didn't get the full amounts.  How should I proceed?

Thank you,

Teresa M.