Dear Penny,
I am 53 yrs old and I am being claimed as a dependent on my parents return. The last time I filed taxes was in 2016 and since then I have’nt worked and receive food stamps also. Should I file taxes for 2019 to get a stimulus check?
Thank You for any help you can provide.
No because you are being claimed as a dependant by someone else so it won’t get you a check anyways.
As Leslie Kay said, it would be pointless because you are being claimed as a dependent. This is the situation for my oldest son. I claimed him last year and now he’s out on his own (got his own place in January) and he’s not eligible to get the stimulus. Luckily he’s working so he isn’t hurting.
Being claimed as a dependent basically means all your basic needs are taken care of by someone else, in this case your parents. In the Government’s eyes, you don’t need the money to help you get by.
LatinLaydie,
Unfortunately, if you are being claimed as a dependent then you are ineligible for the stimulus check regardless of whether you file taxes for 2019 or not. I recommend checking out this guide for some clarification.
https://drive.google.com/open?..wcO0Yoq0kXpwJDp3lUyT
Best Wishes,
A Penny Pincher’s Guide
@latinlaydie Unfortunately, what everyone else has said is right here: If you’re being claimed as a dependent, you won’t qualify for a check of your own.
The only suggestion I can offer is: Check with your parents to see if they’ve already filed their 2019 return. The deadline was pushed back from April 15 to July 15, so there’s a chance they haven’t. In the event that they haven’t filed for 2019, you may want to discuss whether you could file your own tax return instead of having them claim you. When they claim you, they’re probably getting a $500 credit — which, of course, is less than the $1,200 you’d get from receiving your own check.
It’s a long shot, but worth at least asking!
I’m kind of in that situation myself, I’m 56 yes. Old and live with my mom who has alzheimers and I take care of her. The difference is my parents don’t claim me on their taxes(THANK GOD) Maybe you could just talk to your parents and explain that you really are loosing out on alot of benefits-($) by them claiming you as a dependent. It’s worth a shot, you deserve that stimulus money and your entitled to it. Tell your parents to just do the math- $1,200 or $500!! Maybe you could strike a deal of some sort with your parents!! Good luck!! Sasha L.
Hey Latin Laydie- I too used to be in your exact situation…I’m 56 and live with my elderly mother who has Alzheimers disease and I’m her care taker. My dad used to claim me as a dependent until I sat him down and we discussed the situation, I just explained that I really need and deserve all of the benefits that I’m entitled to. My parents agreed with me after I spoke up and was honest with them about how I felt! So now I get all those life saving benefits that I’m entitled to. It’s worth a shot, talk with your parent’s,and if they’ve already filed for this year at least you will be good to go for next year. Stay safe Latin Ladie!!
@sasha.l.sallie - Respectfully disagree. Your situations are not similar, unless OP is leaving out information. She states she hasn’t worked in 4 years and is collecting food benefits. She has no income, therefore she has no benefits from not being claimed as a dependent. She would not get a tax refund if she filed on her own.
The ONLY situation this would have been beneficial is the stimulus checks, of which NO ONE knew was going to happen. At this point, even if they haven’t filed their taxes, their info wouldn’t get processed before the next check is issued, so she still wouldn’t get a check because they will end up using last year’s information.
Plus, if she hasn’t worked and her parents are supporting her, they are entitled to the benefits they get from claiming her.
