I was under the impression that anyone who could be claimed as a dependent wouldn't be getting a stimulus...

Question

But my sister is 18 and she recently got her notice that she'd be getting $300 in a stimulus check. We both were claimed on our parents' taxes and yet I don't get one. I was just wondering if anyone knew why that would be? I'm 22 and a college student, she's going to be entering college in the fall...

Answer 1

Tell her not to cash the check.  

The government stated you are not eligible for one if you are a dependant.

She is a dependent.

Therefore.... they will ask for the money back when this mistake is discovered.

Have her CALL the IRS office and explain teh problem.  Seh should not have received it.

Answer 2

YOU CANT GET ONE IF YOUR A DEPENDENT, YOUR SISTER IS AT FAULT

Answer 3

I work in an accounting office and a lot of our clients children (who were also claimed on their parents returns) got a letter sayign they would get a stimulus check too but did not end up getting a payment because they were, in fact, not eligible.

They have created havoc with those letters. They seem to be automatically generated for anyone who filed a return on time.

Answer 4

Mistakes do happen.  If your parents claimed you, then she should have gotten it.  If she also claimed herself, then maybe it slipped through, but there WILL be followup on two people claiming the same dependent.

Answer 5

She must have filed her taxes saying she could not be claimed as a dependant.  They will catch this and will want the money back with interest & penalties.  Her best bet is to call IRS.

Answer 6

Wow, all I can suggest is that she look at her tax return and see if she claimed herself.  If she did, then that is what generated the payment.  From your information it seems she is not qualified to receive the payment, unless she made enough money so that it looks like she might have paid for over half of her own support.

So I would hold onto the payment if I were her.  The IRS may ask for it back, in particular if it is discovered she was also claimed as a dependent on her parents' return.

What a mess.