Tax Year Prior to 2020: What if my parents claimed me as a dependent in 2019 but I no longer live with them in 2020 can I still claim the stimulus check?

[joshuavirene2]

I am a college student, and my parents are supporting my education and living expenses. Under these standards, I am technically considered a dependent. Despite this, both of them have told me that they will not be claiming me as such on their tax forms. When I am submitting my tax forms, can I file as an independent to receive the stimulus payment, or because I technically qualify as a dependent do I still need to file as such on my taxes?

[DianeW777]

It's not optional.  The rules for claiming a dependent are relevant. If you do not pay more than half of your own support, then you will not be allowed to claim yourself or be independent.  This is a rule on who has the right to claim a dependent. If your parents paid more than half of your support (living expenses and college as noted), then only they can claim you.  If you are away from home temporarily to attend college you are considered to be living with your parent unless you have a different home where you return when you are not in college.

For more information about dependents click this link: IRS Publication 501

[tymitch21]

I am doing my taxes now.  My mom claimed last year.  This year I am doing my own taxes. When it comes to the stimulus it asks me if I received any stimulus.  I didn't receive it due to me being 19 and my parents claimed me.  I put no on turbo tax and it says I am entitled to the refund is this correct?

[AmyC]

@tymitch21 Yes, if you have grown-up and are working to support yourself, you do qualify for the stimulus.

[AGriff413]

Im 36 and I did not receive my First or Second stimulus check. I was unaware my father put me as a Dependant on his taxes. I'm curious to know if I'm going to receive the third Stimulus check to. I'm so mad that he would not tell me. My fiance got hers abd she's an SSI Recipient. So I should be able to get mine.

[npierson7]

Yes, you should be able to receive both of your stimulus payments with your tax refund. Those payments are for 2020 and your status in 2019 shouldn't affect the payments. You'll need to file your tax return even if your income is above the filing requirements and claim the Recovery Rebate credit there. 

You can learn more about that here:

What is a Recovery Rebate Tax Credit?

[Immyownperson]

Hi, just wondered. My parents didn't claim me as a dependent, someone else did. I'm in my 40's and disabled. I filed my own taxes for the 2020 tax year. I will not and have not been claimed as a dependent for the 2020 tax year. The IRS accepted my tax return. I only filed for the stimulus money. Will I receive a return? If so, will they process it as fast as a regular return?

[DawnC]

Yes, if no one could claim you in 2020 and you filed your own tax return and otherwise qualify, you should get the Recovery Rebate as your refund.  And yes, the IRS will process it as a normal return.  If you e-filed and used direct deposit, you may receive it in less than 21 days.  

To claim the Recovery Rebate Credit, you

• 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
• You can’t have been claimed as a dependent on someone else’s 2020 tax return

In general, taxpayers without an eligible Social Security number are not eligible for the credit. However, married taxpayers filing jointly where one spouse has a Social Security number and one spouse does not, are eligible.

There are also AGI limits to receive the full amount of the credit. Your adjusted gross income (AGI) must be below,

• $75,000 for individuals
• $112,500 for heads of household
• $150,000 for married, joint filers    @Immyownperson

[JTLandCo]

If they are 17-24 years old they are not qualified as child dependents, according to current tax law. However the (recent) 3rd stimulus payment, if it passes Senate, will add text in that bill allowing dependents in that age group to qualify for that payment. 

[JTLandCo]

You can still be claimed as a qualifying relative dependent tax credit ($500), but not the child dependent tax credit ($2,000 with only $1,400 refundable) under dependent tax credits allowable by current tax law. 

[DawnC]

You don't qualify for the Recovery Rebate (first two payments) if you were claimed as a qualifying child or qualifying relative on another 2020 tax return.  Any future stimulus payments will apply to the 2021 tax return and have not been finalized yet.  Nothing will be final until the bill is signed into law and the proposed bill may or may not be changed before that happens.   

[Dannimf2021]

In 2019 I claimed a dependent but will not be in 2020. I haven’t filed taxes for 2020 yet but past dependent has. Will I get full stimulus and dependent but then have to pay dependent back or do they catch it before?

[xmasbaby0]

We cannot answer that---the stimulus bill has not yet been signed and we are all still waiting for the complete rules and guidelines.  By changing a tax law in the middle of tax season, Congress is creating the potential for a lot of confusion, so we have to wait and see how they will implement the change.

[DianeW777]

You will not have to repay the stimulus received in 2020 for your dependent child on your 2019 tax return, even if they are not your dependent in 2020. Since you received the stimulus you were entitled to during 2020, you will not get more on your 2020 return.

TurboTax will walk you through the Recovery Rebate Credit worksheet to reconcile those payments.

File your return so that you can receive any potential third stimulus being considered by Congress now.

[JTLandCo]

For the 3rd stimulus payment the IRS will send out payments to the American people in reference to their last tax return on file. If you haven’t filed yet, this 2021 tax season, for income tax year 2020,  they are going to refer back to your 2019 income tax year, hence: most recent tax record on file in regards to the $1,400 direct payments. Each qualifying person and their dependents will receive $1,400. If they are not being claimed as your dependent in 2020, even if they file their own tax return this year, and as long as you have not filed your taxes yet (2021) for income in 2020, you will get the payment for this dependent. If they filed they will also be able to get their rebate credit in their refund, even though it was already paid out to the head of household. Moreover, the IRS stated they are not going to penalize anyone on over payments they received. Furthermore, there is another passage on this current recovery bill which is an advance child tax credit if you have dependents up to 6 years old ($3,600) and 7 - 17 year olds ($3,000) which, if the treasury department determines it possible, will send monthly payments in accordance to the tax payers 2020 income tax filed this year (2021) which will be over a 6months period, beginning this summer in July - December, for each dependent they claim on their current income tax return (2020 income) If they happen to make more or less this year, when they file in 2022, they will not have to pay any over payments back, however if they find that they’re entitled to more, if their family size or income changes this year, they will be able to claim and get a refund in 2022. This is a one time opportunity for family’s to get these tax credits, as the current tax bill is written. Of course all stimulus payments and tax credits, or refunds are subject to each individual’s unique situation, income, dependents and rather or not they’ve filed taxes in these recent years. This information is based on the most recent pandemic recovery bill signed into law March 2021. Hope this answers your questions or concerns.