Dependents and stimulus checks
Hi Terry. Thank you for taking my question. I’ll try to make this as straightforward as possible. My little brother has lived with me for 3 years.
I am claiming him as a dependent for the first time (2019 return). He does not file tax returns as he doesn’t work. He did, however, receive a stimulus check last week. I just tried to e-file my 2019 taxes right now and my California return was accepted but my federal return was rejected. The error code I was sent for my federal return basically states that someone else has already claimed one of my dependents (their social security number) on their own 2019 taxes. I checked my daughter’s tax return and she checked the box that said that someone could claim her as a dependent on their tax return so I know it’s not her social security number that is the issue. I checked with my other brother and my mom to see if they claimed my little brother as a dependent and neither of them did. My question is, is it possible that because my little brother got a stimulus check, I am no longer able to claim him as a dependent on my 2019 taxes, thus getting the rejection code? Thank you
Terry Says
Because he received a stimulus check he must also be getting Social Security Disability or SSI income. That automatically generates a stimulus payment. That payment required the Federal government to have his SS number. In that case, you can’t claim him as a dependent. So file your return without him and it will be accepted.
