Stimulus Check Eligibility and Your Parents' Tax Return

If you filed your own 2019 taxes as a single person but your parents claimed you as a dependent on their return, and you turned 19 at the end of 2019, will you still receive the 1200 stimulus check?

Tax Return and Deduction Controversy

The complexity of the situation arises from several factors, including the tax return filing for 2019 and 2020, and how the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) handles stimulus payments. Here are the key points to consider:

Single Filers vs. Dependent Status: By law, only one of you can claim you as a dependent on their tax return. Your father may have claimed you, which would mean he would receive the stimulus check if it was based on your dependent status. Resubmission Required: If both you and your father filed returns with different claims, one of you will need to file a revised return by the deadline of May 15, 2023, to correct the deduction and ensure the IRS process is accurate. IRS Response: If there is a conflict in the claim, the IRS will likely notify you and your father to resolve the issue. They may recalibrate the deductions or kick back your father's return for review.

Third Stimulus Check Explained

In relation to the latest stimulus checks, particularly the third one, there are specific guidelines that need to be followed:

Parental Claim: For the third stimulus check, your father may still be eligible to receive the extra 1,400 if you are under 17, as the age requirement for dependent status was relaxed for this stimulus payment. No Individual Claim: If you filed individually and your father claimed you as a dependent, you would not receive a check, as the law generally prevents both of you from being claimed as a dependent on separate tax returns. Subsidy Verification: To verify your individual financial support, the standard the IRS uses is not based on what box you checked on the tax return. Instead, they assess whether you provided more than 50% of your own support.

Verification Process and IRS Website

For clarity and to determine the status of your stimulus check, the IRS website offers a useful service:

IRS Get My Payment: By providing your Social Security Number (SSN), birthday, and address, you can check the status of your stimulus payment online. This can help clear any doubts and ensure you receive the correct amount.

Conclusion

Based on the information provided, if your father claimed you as a dependent on his tax return in 2019, you would not receive the 1200 stimulus check. However, since the rules for the third stimulus check have been adjusted, your father may receive the additional 1,400 if you are still under the age of 18. Always ensure that your tax returns are accurate and that conflicts are resolved promptly with the IRS to avoid any delays or complications with your payments.