Someone claimed me as a dependent without my permission. Does being claimed mean you don't get as much money and how can i change the dependent option.

[VictoriaD75]

Then you must print and mail your return. The IRS will identify that you have been claimed on more than one return and will work with both parties to resolve the matter. You will need to provide detail to the IRS indicating that you live on your own and provide more than half of your support.

Rules for Claiming a Dependent

[Tracyscott]

I am thinking someone has been claiming me on their tax return possibly for several years because I've been on SS and SSI since 2002. I didn't receive a stimulas check. I am hoping someone somewhere can help me. I have never given anyone permission to claim me as a dependent. Thanks.

[RobertG]

Here are some things you can do.

You can go to the IRS Get My Payment website to find out the status of your payment.

If you were not required to file in 2018 or 2019 you should go to the IRS website: 

Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info Here to enter information the IRS can use to send you a stimulus check.

If you do not get a stimulus check in 2020, you can file a 2020 return in 2021 to get your stimulus payment.

[Nattysteve77]

Since August of 2017, my father has been claiming me as a dependent instead of an employee. I'm the Handyman for his property. I maintain and repair everything myself, even the lawn and security. I tend to three tenants. Unfortunately, this has been my only income since then. In 2018, I was only paid $1200 for my work. In 2019, $1000. I haven't been paid in over 6 months, and a stimulus check would go a long way since I get zero benefits from this arrangement. What are my options?

[JotikaT2]

It depends.

Please see the link below to determine if you qualify for the stimulus payment.

Calculate my stimulus check tool

If you determine you are eligible for the stimulus payment, you can register on the IRS website using the link below. 

Be sure to use the correct link depending upon whether you are a tax return filer or non-filer.

IRS Stimulus payment registration portal

[Jamierae123]

I'm seriously wanting to know this question, I'm 33 & have been living on my own. '& only visit my mother once every 3yrs in adifferent state.

Could she claim me as a dependent without my permission or my consent. ?  And if not could this basically be called "fuard"? ..or maybe be audited by the IRS.  I'm just alil curious what penalties could possibly happen to her.

And wanna seriously know, how should I handle this if she won't take me off as a dependent.

   Thanks for your time, sincerely, J.R.C

[xmasbaby0]

@Jamierae123 Start by actually ASKING your mother if she claimed you.  If you do not fit the criteria to be a qualifying child or qualifying relative for her, and she did claim you, then she has to amend her own tax return to remove you as a dependent.

No matter what--for this year if your return is being rejected because your SSN has been entered into the system by someone--you cannot e-file.  You have to print, sign and mail your own tax return now.

When you mail a tax return, you need to attach any documents showing tax withheld, such as your W-2’s or any 1099’s.  Use a mailing service that will track it, such as UPS or certified mail so you will know the IRS/state received the return.

It is also possible that someone used the wrong SSN which resulted in your problem, or it is possible that someone has committed tax fraud using your SSN.  The IRS will not tell you -- but they will sort it out.  Mail your return.

[02Lizeth]

What should I do cuz my mom put me that I live with her and she's put me in her taxes when IAM 32 .also IAM not receiving my mail either.i found out that I got a letter from the IRS becàuse I looked up a free app on ups and it tells you when you're going to receive your mail or packages before they get there so you see the names for who it is for so I told her and she got mad that i told her so she said ibetter it mess it it up for her cuz she's putting me that I live with her and she puts me on her taxes the reason is that I am scared she can ruin my SSI disability check so what can I do also cuz I never gave my concent or anything cuz she put me as dependent also when I did not tell her to put anything what or were can I call

[SusanY1]

Your consent or permission are not required to be listed as a dependent on another person's tax return. However, you must meet the criteria to be listed as a dependent.

There are a number of tests that must be met to list a dependent on a tax return.  Those generally include:

• a relationship test (the person must usually be a relative of some sort, especially if they do not live in your home)
• the income test - if the person is not a qualifying child they must not earn over a certain amount of income each year ($4,050 for 2019)
• the support test - the person claiming the dependent must provide more than half of the support for the person listed on the tax return

If you were claimed as a dependent on a return and you should not have been, you will need to file your own return by mail this year and the IRS will request information from you as well as anyone who claimed you as a dependent that will aid them in making a determination regarding which return is the proper return.  

The improperly filed return will be corrected and that taxpayer will be required to repay any over payment of a refund or under payment of tax along with interest and penalties. 

If certain credits were claimed based on this dependent, the taxpayer may be barred from claiming this credit for up to ten (10) years.

@02Lizeth

[JoseBreezy420]

Someone using my name to get money and idont know who it is what can i do to stop it ?

[xmasbaby0]

@JoseBreezy420 The IRS will not tell you if someone used your SSN or who it was.  If your own tax return is being rejected because your Social Security number has been used for 2019, then you need to print, sign, and mail your own tax return, and let the IRS sort it out.

[Rodney9]

my name is Rodney  I live in <address removed> I receive direct deposit with a direct express card I call i.r.s and sombody has clame me on there taxes .without my promisson my info is the same is on here with irs IRS has any thing else if it's not this it is not me my socal  sacrity has been use by sombody without no promisson I won't them cought and put in jail I'm the real Rodney.t there is no other and I'm 38 years old nobody should of clame me yes I won't my stimlus payment I was not suppose to be clame by anybody I was working at Wendy's last year but been left I don't work there nomore and I'm head of my own house and stay by myself this person who clame me needs to give me my money back and be put in jail I was clame with no promisson and couldn't get my stimlus check becouse of sombody clame me with out me knowing that's not fair 

[Rodney9]

I was clame without no promisson they need to be put in jail they even tryd to act like me on here it's sad I couldn't even get my stimlus check that's not fair what are y'all ganna do about that can y'all adleast get my stimlus and put the person in jail who clame me that's identity theft and tax frude that's not right 

[Dorothyshunkwiler]

My brother-in-law claimed me as a dependent fraudulently. I moved out 6/2/2019. NOW I'm not getting a stimulus check and he won't talk to me. 

[xmasbaby0]

@Dorothyshunkwiler This is most unfortunate.  Sadly, relatives claiming other unsuspecting relatives as dependents are coming to light thanks to the stimulus checks and the impact it is having on people who had no idea they were being claimed.  If your BIL had no right to claim you as a dependent, then prepare your own tax return and print, sign and mail it.   If he already used your SSN you will not be able to e-file.  The IRS will sort it out.  If your BIL should not have claimed you he will face consequences from the IRS.  He might decide to amend before that happens if he needs to.  But even if he amends, you cannot e-file now.

Do you fit the criteria to be claimed as a qualifying child or qualifying relative for him?

WHO CAN I CLAIM AS A DEPENDENT?

You can claim a child, relative, friend, fiance (etc.) as a dependent on your 2019 taxes as long as they meet the following requirements:

Qualifying child

• They are related to you.

• They cannot be claimed as a dependent by someone else.

• They are a U.S. citizen, resident alien, national, or a Canadian or   Mexican resident.

• They are not filing a joint return with their spouse.

• They are under the age of 19 (or 24 for full-time students).

• No age limit for permanently and totally disabled children

  •      They live with you for more than half the year (exceptions apply).

Qualifying relative

• They don't have to be related to you (despite the name).

• They cannot be claimed as a dependent by someone else.

• They are a U.S. citizen, resident alien, national, or a Canadian or Mexican resident.

• They are not filing a joint return with their spouse.

• They lived with you the entire year.

• They made less than $4200  (not counting Social Security)

• You provided more than half of their financial support. More info

When you add someone as a dependent, we'll ask a series of questions to make sure you can claim them.

Related Information:

• Does a dependent have to live with me?

• What does "financially support another person" mean?

• Can I claim a newborn baby?