Stimulus Check

[cjromero10]

If I indicated on my 2019 tax return that I CAN be claimed but was NOT claimed by my parents will I still be eligible to receive the check? If I were to indicate that I can not be claimed wouldn't that be fraud? My parents have not claimed me for the last 2 years now put wouldn't I still need to indicate that I can still be claimed even though my parents wont claim me?

[NCperson]

here is the issue;

you are not eligible for the stimulus if you CAN be claimed, regardless of whether your parents claim you or not.

They have the option to claim you

you don't have that option (so you have to answer they CAN claim you even if they don't)

here are the rules to determine if you CAN be claimed.  They are written from your parent's perspective.  if they pass ALL FOUR tests, you CAN BE claimed.  if they FAIL ANY ONE test, you CAN NOT be claimed (I assume you are over 18 years old)

1 The person either (a) must be related to you or (b) must live with you all year as a member of your household.
2. The person's gross taxable income for the year must be less than $4,200 in 2019.
3. You must provide more than half of the person's total support for the year.
4. The person must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. resident alien, U.S. national, or a resident of Canada or Mexico.

let me know the result, maybe the CAN"T claim you????????

[cjromero]

My parents already filed their taxes for 2019 and did not claim me, but as you said I pass all four tests so still won’t qualify I assume. I guess my only question now is that when I file for my 2020 tax return (I’ll be 24 by that time) and I indicate I won’t be able to be claimed by anyone, will I be able to receive my stim check?

Also my parents received the stimulus check but did not get the $500 extra they would have for me since they didn’t claim me. No one seems to have really clear answers but I do understand how complicated this all can get.

[NCperson]

@cjromero  

first, your parents could not receive the $500 for you.  It only goes to 'qualifying children' which are children under the age of 17.

2nd, if you are NOT a dependent of your parents for 2020, you will be able to get the $1200 for yourself when you file next year.   

• The stimulus payments are really based on your 2020 tax return (income, dependents, etc).
• The IRS is using either 2018 or 2019 – whatever is available  - to ESTIMATE that payment
• When you file next year there will be a “settle up” section on the tax return. 
• If you are due more stimulus (and this would include where you were not eligible based on 2018/2019 ), you will receive it through the 2020 tax filing as an additional refund
• If you received too much stimulus (not the issue here), by law , you are not required to return i

sit tight until next year!