Why did my 15 year old get a 1400.00 stimulus check in his name when he is claimed on my, his father's taxes?

[josh70205]

He has a job. Did not make enough money for any federal to come out his check. He old got 14.00 back from the state. Why would the irs give a 15 year old child a stimulus check in their name?

[LenaH]

To properly answer your question, some additional clarification is needed. Did the stimulus payment go into your child's own bank account or did his father receive the money on his behalf? Did his father and your child both receive the third stimulus payment of $1,400 on your child's behalf? 

If he got an additional payment in his account, then it was likely the payment was made by the IRS in error. 

Per the IRS, if the payment was made in error and was a direct deposit:

1. Submit a personal check, money order, etc., immediately to the appropriate IRS location listed in the link below. 
2. Write on the check/money order made payable to "U.S. Treasury" and write Third EIP, and the taxpayer identification number (social security number, or individual taxpayer identification number) of the recipient of the check.
3. Include a brief explanation of the reason for returning the EIP.

Questions and Answers about the Third Economic Impact Payment — Topic I: Returning the Third Economi...

[fanfare]

Once EIP money is in your hands, you don't have to give it back for any reason.

[Anonymous]

@fanfare  that is not correct.  There are a number of situations that require returning a payment (death of a taxpayer prior to certain dates and nonresidents who filed the incorrect tax return and received a payment have both been explicitly instructed by the IRS to return their payments.  It is likely that taxpayers who filed a return indicating that they are not dependents in error, and later amend, will also be instructed to do the same).  It is absolutely not the case that the money is never required to be returned. 

@josh70205  by any chance does your son receive any social security benefits such as survivor benefits or other benefits on the record of one of his parents?  If so, he is actually entitled to the payment and can keep it. 

If not, and the funds went directly to him, his tax return may have been filed incorrectly without the indicator that he is a dependent or can be a dependent on another person's tax return.  In this case, it is best to return the payment and amend the tax return to reflect this even though it will not change the numbers on his return.  

[josh70205]

It was a paper check and not a direct deposit. His taxes indicated he can be claimed as an independent on someone else's taxes. Which was mine, I'm his father, he is a dependent on my along with his sister. When I received my stimulus check is was short. I am thinking that money should have gone into my direct deposit account? I did email the IRS, still waiting on an email back. Was not sure if I should deposit that check and hold on to the money or what.. 

[DawnC]

Just hold on to it for right now.   It should have went to you, but it obviously did not.  The IRS will deal with these situations later.