TurboTax

File with experts
File your taxes
Experts at your fingertips

An expert helps with your taxes, or does them for you
TurboTax Expert Full Service

TurboTax Expert Assist

TurboTax Self-Employed
Prior year taxes
File myself
File myself
Do it yourself

We'll guide you step-by-step
TurboTax Do It Yourself

TurboTax Self-Employed

TurboTax Desktop
TurboTax Free

Activate your product

Prior year taxes
Business
Business
Business taxes

Get your T2 corporate return done right, your way
TurboTax Business

TurboTax Business Desktop
Tax situations
Tax situations
Tax situations

Find extra guidance for your big life moves
For investors

For 25 and younger

For self-employed

For new to Canada

For life changes
Resources
Resources
Resources

Explore tax tools, get tips, and read reviews
Personal income tax calculator

RRSP savings calculator

Learning hub

TurboTax support (FAQ)

TurboTax community
Pricing

Community

Anonymous

Question

Stimulus Check for "Your Spouse as a dependent"

Forum|Forum|5 years ago
April 24, 2020
14 replies
0 views

Hello,

In 2019, I filed Married Filing Separately and accidentally have the check box filled in for:

Someone can claim: "Your Spouse as a Dependent"

I have not received my stimulus deposit. My Spouse did already receive her stimulus deposit. The IRS site doesn't provide me with information.

Will having this checkbox accidentally filled in prevent me from getting paid? Will I need to Amend the tax return?

Thank you,

Michael S.

MinhT1

In TurboTax, you must have check the box saying that some one can claim you as a dependent. There is no such question about your spouse.

If this is the case, you must amend your tax return to receive the stimulus payment. Uncheck that box when you amend.

To amend your return, please follow the instructions in this TurboTax Help topic.

**Say "Thanks" by clicking the thumb icon in a post**Mark the post that answers your question by clicking on "Mark as Best Answer"

aquinley0001

My wife and I file separately. Both of our boxes are checked, erroneously, stating someone can claim our spouses as a dependent. Neither of us would knowingly check that, but there it is. On an amended return, it can be unchecked. So this response saying no such question exists is at least partially incorrect.

Anonymous

@aquinley0001 Did you or your wife receive your stimulus payment? I was wondering if this was a reason for no payment yet.

sucellica26

How or where do I go to amend my return?

i just got off the phone with the IRS and they stated that i checked off where it says : Standard Deduction someone can claim : Your spouse as a deduction which means I get no stimulus payment. I file married file separate and never had this confusion of a question. I filed back on April 15 exactly and was wondering why no stimulus. I want to amend and can I. How do I go about this? Please help

Bethanyt84

I had the same thing happen to me - the "someone can claim my spouse as a dependent" box was checked when it shouldn't have been. This prevented me from getting a stimulus check (though not my spouse), and my kids are claimed under my name (my husband and I file separately), so I received zero money for them either. TURBOTAX - this seems like a mistake on your part, some sort of glitch in your system! We can do our best to amend our tax returns, but I think a company with your credibility (and voice!) needs to speak up to the IRS and let them know that this error has unfairly left many of us without stimulus money. The IRS isn't listening to the individuals contacting them here and there (I've also been told by an IRS rep that "it doesn't make sense," "there's nothing we can do," and "you can try to claim it on the 2020 taxes, but there's no promise that you'll get it"). There's a good chance that they will listen to YOU!

GiseleD

@Bethanyt84

You have the option of amending your 2019 return versus waiting to claim the stimulus on your 2020 return.

Once you are certain that your return has been filed and accepted, read on for instructions on how to amend:

Sign in to TurboTax.
Scroll down to Your tax return & documents (you may need to select Show), select 2019 and then Amend (change) return.
- If you only see the option to amend 2018 or earlier, it's because you can't amend an unfiled 2019 return. Instead, just select Pick up where you left off, make your changes, and disregard the rest of these instructions.
Select Amend using TurboTax Online.
Carefully follow the instructions. Don't worry if your refund changes to $0. This is normal on amended returns.
When finished, we'll give you instructions for printing and mailing your amended return, as amendments can't be e-filed.

**Say "Thanks" by clicking the thumb icon in a post**Mark the post that answers your question by clicking on "Mark as Best Answer"

Bethanyt84

@GiseleD

Thanks for your reply. I did amend my 2018 tax return just this week after learning of all of this (my 2019 tax return did not have this box checked, but the IRS used my 2018 taxes for eligibility), but I'm out of options for the time being. Now I've been told to wait until I file my 2020 taxes and hope they reconsider their decision. However, in speaking with the IRS, they told me that they won't be reversing their decisions regarding eligibility, but will only be considering new information (e.g., I had a baby in 2018, which would be reflected on my 2019 taxes, not my 2018 taxes and I should therefore be getting stimulus money for 2 kids instead of 1). It's helpful that you guys are replying to us in this forum, but I think TurboTax should speak up on this to the IRS.

mrbrown3000

Wow add me to the list of people screwed over by this glitch from Turbo Tax! My wife and I filed separately and were patiently waiting for our stimulus check. Finally decided to call the IRS and got the same message as everyone here, someone is claiming me as a dependent. That would be my wife and vise versa. It didn't make sense to me because we are in our 30's, how can we be claimed as a dependent. I would never check that box My wife planned to claim our 1 year old daughter.

Turbo Tax really needs to answer for this because so many people are complaining about this. The IRS rep told me this cannot be changed this year either. Bad enough we all have to deal with Covid, social distancing, and no work. Now we can't even get what's rightfully ours in the form of a stimulus check. This is so frustrating!

I really hope there is a way to recoup this money.

DawnC

Employee

Stimulus payments will be based on information from your most recent tax filings, either 2019, or 2018 if you haven't filed this season yet. But, the amount paid to you now will be reconciled on next year’s tax return based on your current 2020 situation.

**Say "Thanks" by clicking the thumb icon in a post**Mark the post that answers your question by clicking on "Mark as Best Answer"

Bethanyt84

TurboTax,

It's disgraceful to have you watch all of us comment on here and just respond with "it'll be taken care of when you do your 2020 taxes." YOUR mistake will be taken care of with our 2020 taxes (we hope). As you can see, there are people on this thread who desperately need these stimulus checks to make it to next month, not next year. Allow me to clue you into something: this is a "do the right thing" moment. Contact the IRS, own up to your mistake, and fix it for us please.

Otherwise, we should all be writing our Congressional representatives to let them know that this situation even exists.

harryhoudini66

Thank you for posting this here. I mentioned this on Reddit to others. A bunch of us became ineligible because of this same thing. When contacting the IRS, they claim that you are not eligible because someone claimed you as a dependent. When pushed further, they finally admitted there is a glitch but dont know how to fix it. All they tell you is to call again in a couple weeks to see if they have a fix or received instructions on how to fix it manually.

One IRS agent claimed that if the box is checked for either person, then both are disqualified for the Stimulus Check. Chances are this will not be fixed this year and we will not be eligible for the second check either.

When its time to file our 2020 taxes, that is when we would get it. Unfortunately, for some it will be a little too late as they need the money now.

If this is a screw up on TurboTax's part and since they can confirm eligibility, they should fix this or upfront the money. When its time to file taxes, they can get it then from the IRS.

mb1-5

Class action lawsuit will be the only way to recover. I have already contacted my representatives and a law firm. I do not see any way to amend the return to fix TurboTax's error.

desposito89

There is a way to amend it but the IRS is saying we won’t get our checks even if we do amend it. We have to claim it on next year’s tax return. We need the money now though.

Cknick44

Did anyone ever find a solution to this? I filed an amended return, but I was hoping Turbo Tax did something about this by now.

xmasbaby0

Employee

@Cknick44

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/tax-topics/help/spouse-claimed-as-a-dependent-box-checked-on-2019-return/01/1702050#M4958

**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.**

desposito89

Still nothing

artistgew

This happened to me also. I filed Married filing separately and the Turbotax software checked off the Spouse can be claimed as a dependent. I did not check this, and due to this I do not qualify for the stimulus, even though I should! It seems Turbo Tax have screwed over a lot of people.

I called the IRS several times and they cannot do anything other than say I might be able to apply for the Recovery payment in 2021. We need this money NOW, not 6+ months from now. Any word of a class action regarding this?

missadie222

I am interested in a class action as well. I am the poorest person I know, single mom, I have struggled more financially than ANYONE I KNOW who has gotten their stimulus and I HAVE NOT! I NEED MY MONEY!

I WANT A CLASS ACTION!! How do we get started???

artistgew email me at [email address removed]

Chairperson

In 2018 my tax return had the "spouse could be claimed by someone else as dependent" checked. I certainly did not do this - we are both in our 70's and no one else can claim either of us!!!! IRS phoned last night and told me that #1 - because this box was checked, I can only "reclaim" the stimulus check on my 2020 taxes that are filed in 2021. #2 - I cannot amend my 2018 taxes to correct this because they have no way to fix this due to the way the legislation was written! It does not matter if I amend the form or not. They will not reconsider it. #3 - They haven't figured out how this will happen yet, but they know many people are dealing with this same situation. -- Thank you Turbo Tax! NOT! - I certainly did not indicate this on my tax return. I simply overlooked the fact that Turbo Tax did this to me. FWIW, my deceased father received a check, and my husband has received his check. But I'm left out in the cold. My guess is they are hoping that many of us will forget this by 2021. I'm not going to forget this.