Question

Can I amend my tax returns to remove a dependent so they can collect a stimulus check? Regardless of the reason can I amend my returns and remove a dependant?

Forum|Forum|6 years ago
April 24, 2020
5 replies
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N

NCPERSON1

if that dependent CAN BE claimed by someone else, then they are not eligible in any event.

the issue is not WHETHER they are claimed it's CAN THEY BE claimed.

why did you claim this person previously and don't want to now?

K

katydidit64

They lived with me last year - no longer live with me and need that income - If I amend and remove them as a dependant will they receive stimulus money?

N

NCPERSON1

@katydidit64

let's begin with the basics. You must pass all 4 of these tests to be able to claim your parents in the first place

1. The person either (a) must be related to you or (b) must live with you all year as a member of your household. (this one is a pass because it's a relative)
2. The person's gross taxable income for the year must be less than $4,200 in 2019. This excludes social security benefits.
3. You must provide more than half of the person's total financial support for the year. Social security must be included as 'support'. (financial support means fair share of rent, food, clothing, utilities, transportation, medical costs, insurance, etc.)
4. The person must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. resident alien, U.S. national, or a resident of Canada or Mexico.

if you FAILS any one of these tests, you can NOT claim your parents.

if you FAILS any one of these tests you should not be claiming your parents to begin with. Thus, your parents are eligible for the stimulus.

if you PASSES all these tests you CAN claim her parents. Again, the IRS doesn't care if you claim them or not.

But here is the issue... on your parents' tax return, they are asked CAN they be claimed by someone else. And they CAN be - that answer doesn't change whether or not you claim them. The question on your parent's tax return is NOT "Were you claimed"; it's CAN you be claimed - see the difference?

so if you a) CAN claim your parents, b) and your parents fails to check the box that they CAN be claimed and c) they get the stimulus as a result, it would be tax fraud!

but if you CAN't claim your parents, they are eligible for the stimulus.

does that help?

based on that, post back on whether they CAN or CAN NOT be claimed. If they CAN NOT, I will explain what your options are for next steps.

E

Ericpls

I recently had my taxes Amended, I put I was a dependent when no one could claim me 2019, it has been 16 weeks, will I receive a stimulus check?

X

xmasbaby0

Employee

@Ericpls Sadly you probably will not receive a stimulus check this year if you just amended. It normally takes about four months for the IRS to process an amended return--which must be mailed. Right now it is taking much longer than normal. Mailed returns have been piling up in trailers for several months during the pandemic. The IRS is just beginning to dig through millions of unopened mail, so it will be a very long time before they make it to your envelope. If you do not receive a stimulus check this year, it will be available as a credit on next year's tax return when you file your 2020 return in 2021.

**Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**

G

gchandler267

I had a question that was similar to this, and I was hoping someone could provide me with an answer.

My mother, who is 48, has been staying with my family for an "extended vacation." I asked if she would mind if I claimed her as a relative dependent, because I figured that I would be able to share some of my refund with her since she cannot file her own as she didn't make enough money last year. My mother did work a few jobs here and there in 2020 but most of the money she had either came from me sending her some when she needed it, or her plasma donations. On my tax return that I e-filed, I wrote that she was only with me for 4 months out of the year since she came down to visit in August.

I didn't think about the stimulus checks until after I had already submitted my return, and now I've been regretting my choice to put her down as a dependent because she could use the extra income the stimulus provides.

If I amend my return to remove her once taxes are accepted for this year, will she able to receive the future stimulus checks that are sent out? Will she even be considered a dependent under the description they go by if the amendment doesn't go through in time?

I know that nothing has been decided for the third stimulus check yet, but I have been beating myself up about this for the past few days. I even went through my taxes again on a separate account to see how much I would owe if I removed her and the only difference was $113 from the State Tax Refund.

Critter-3

Yes you can amend your return AFTER the first return has fully processed and you have the original refund in hand.

Next, she can MAIL in a 2020 return anytime to get any refund due her AND the stimulus money. She doesn't need to wait for your amended return to be processed months from now.

Lastly, as for the unknown future stimulus check ... no one can say what will happen.

H

howekayla8

I claimed all 3 children in 2019 and I file single. My ex and I have to take turns each year with my oldest son so 2020 would be his turn. I didn't work enough in 2020 so my boyfriend claimed our two other children this year. I received both the first and second stimulus based off 2019 taxes. I filed 2020 thinking I had to use the child tax credit with my oldest son and was wrong. I can't since his father most likely already did. I need to amend my return but also don't want the IRS to use 2020 due to my mess up. Will they still use 2019 since I have to amend 2020's? We are struggling and the stimulus has helped and now I could have screwed it up. Help!

D

DennyBriBri

I assisted my 18 year old granddaughter to file her 2020 tax return to get EIP 1 and EIP 2. We checked No to "Can someone (such as your parent) claim you as a dependent". She received her refund.

Her mother wants to claim her daughter for purposes a court cash with X husband. How do I amend the granddaughter's tax return to say she can be claimed and return the EIP payments?

T

ThomasM125

If the mother could claim the child as her dependent, then the child should have indicated that on her tax return. If not, then you should leave the situation alone.

The child can file an amended return in TurboTax for no fee and change the dependent status and pay back the stimulus money with the amended return.

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