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Level 2
March 18, 2021
Solved

Taxpayer claimed as dependent in 2019. Can he claim the 1st/2nd stimulus in 2020 income tax return?

  • March 18, 2021
  • 3 replies
  • 31 views

Taxpayer claimed as dependent in 2019. He didn't receive the 1st nor 2nd stimulus money nor his parents?  He will file as Single in 2020.  Can he claim the 1st/2nd stimulus on his 2020 income tax return?

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Best answer by qbteachmt

Perhaps it would help to review what is really happening:

The funds were paid out as Advanced payment against a projection. The projection used 2018 or 2019 tax returns. But 2020 is the Actuals. You use the 2020 return to reconcile what a person is entitled to, against what they got.

If the person is not a dependent in 2020, then they would be entitled to the payment/credit as individual filers. That doesn't mean "not being claimed." It means "no longer qualifies as a dependent."

You might want to bookmark these links and read the IRS guidance.

Interactive wizards portal for determining dependency:

https://www.irs.gov/help/ita

And:

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/economic-impact-payment-information-center-topic-a-eip-eligibility

https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/second-eip-faqs#Eligibility

One for each EIP.

3 replies

sjrcpa
Level 15
March 18, 2021

Is he legitimately not eligible to be claimed as a dependent in 2020? (regardless of whether or not he is claimed as a dependent)

The more I know the more I don’t know.
Orlando BAuthor
Level 2
March 18, 2021

 For sure not eligible to be claimed as a dependent in 2020.

qbteachmt
qbteachmtAnswer
Level 15
March 18, 2021

Perhaps it would help to review what is really happening:

The funds were paid out as Advanced payment against a projection. The projection used 2018 or 2019 tax returns. But 2020 is the Actuals. You use the 2020 return to reconcile what a person is entitled to, against what they got.

If the person is not a dependent in 2020, then they would be entitled to the payment/credit as individual filers. That doesn't mean "not being claimed." It means "no longer qualifies as a dependent."

You might want to bookmark these links and read the IRS guidance.

Interactive wizards portal for determining dependency:

https://www.irs.gov/help/ita

And:

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/economic-impact-payment-information-center-topic-a-eip-eligibility

https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/second-eip-faqs#Eligibility

One for each EIP.

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