Stimulus

[TNT7201]

My college age daughter asked me to remove her from my return so that she could claim the 2020 stimulus on her own.  Both of us have already filed.  Should I?

[mbpeddie]

Based on your question, I am assuming that you both have filed your 2020 tax returns and you claimed your daughter as a dependent. She indicated on her return that someone could claim her as a dependent and therefore did not receive the stimulus payment.

If you provided more than half your daughters support, then you would not be able to go back and amend your returns in order for your daughter to claim herself and receive the stimulus.

This is the key question. There is a box to check on the Form 1040 that must be checked stating that someone can claim you as a dependent. If your daughter did not provide more than half her support which includes housing, food , clothing and education she must check this box and cannot claim herself as a dependent to receive the stimulus.

[TNT7201]

Thanks for your reply.  She indicated on her return that someone could claim her, but no one was going to claim her as dependent (in Turbo Tax).

[VolvoGirl]

Which Stimulus?  If you claimed her on your 2021 return you should have received the 3rd Stimulus 1,400 per person for her.   If she qualifies as your dependent she has to check that box even if you don't claim her.  If she does qualify I would just give her the $1,400 if you want.  

There have been 3 Stimulus Payments so far……
EIP1 The first Stimulus payment was 1,200 for each spouse and 500 for each dependent under 17. Came out in spring of 2020.

EIP2 The second Stimulus was 600 per person and dependents under 17. The 2nd stimulus checks started going out at the very end of December 2020 and continued into January/Feb 2021.
The first 2 Stimulus payments went on your 2020 return even if you got the second one in Jan/Feb 2021.

EIP3 The 3rd Stimulus payment started going out in March 2021 and is for 1,400 for each person listed on your tax return, no age limit. The IRS used your 2020 (or 2019) return to send the checks out fast. If your 2021 return changes and you qualify for more you can claim the extra as the Recovery Rebate Credit on 1040 line 30. But line 30 is only if you didn't get the full amount or qualify for more. Not the amount you already got. The IRS also sent out letter 6475 to tell you how much they sent you . If you are married then each spouse should get a letter for half.

[TNT7201]

This post is about the 2020 stimulus, $1200 plus $600

[mbpeddie]

Thanks for clarifying which year the stimulus payment was for.

If your daughter indicated that someone could claim her as a dependent, then even if she said no- one  did, she still cannot get the stimulus payment. As long as someone can claim her, they are entitled to the stimulus payment not her.

If you did not claim her but were entitled to, you can amend your 2020 tax return to claim her as a dependent and claim the recovery rebate credit. 

You can give her the credit you receive by claiming her as a dependent if you wish.

I have included a link with more information:

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/2020-recovery-rebate-credit-topic-g-correcting-issues-after-the-2020-ta...