Can I refile my 1040 after I've cashed my economic stimulus check?

Question

When I filed early in 2008, neither my wife nor my son had SS numbers, so I didn't claim either of them. So, I received an economic stimulus check for $300 for myself, and promptly cashed it. Recently, both my wife and son have received their SS numbers. Can I refile?

Thanks for the advice!

Answer 1

Refile or amend your previous filing...A specific year amendment form should do it....Been a long time for me .....I know there was at one time at least...Go where they have all tax forms..

Answer 2

Yes!!! and doing so will be good for you as you will/should get a larger return for 07 with the extra exemptions.

Answer 3

Yes.  I read an article about it in the paper recently.  If you happen to be in the military, you could still get a stimulus check for them, even if you filed before they got SS numbers.  Military families in that situation will get checks soon.

Answer 4

Yes, you definitely should.  File a 1040-X to claim make the return Married Filing Jointly and with your son as a dependent.  It may be give you an additional refund for 2007 and will make them eligible for the stimulus as well.  I don't know if you will get the stimulus automatically this year.  If not, you will get their contribution to the stimulus next year when you do your taxes since there is a stimulus reconciliation in next year's taxes to make sure everybody got what they should have.

Answer 5

If you included them on the return using an ITIN you would not be able to get the stimulus if they got their SS numbers after 12/31/2007.  If they were not on the return at all you can file an amending to add them.  Although the same rule would apply I don't think the IRS would have any way of knowing.