Hey everyone. I never got any child tax credit when they were giving it out a few years ago. My mom didn’t receive it for me and my dad shouldn’t have. What can I do?

[SharonD007]

If you mean that your parents didn’t receive the Child Tax Credit for you and were eligible, they can still file a tax return for tax years 2021 and 2022. They must file a 2021 tax return by April 18, 2025 and a 2022 tax return by April 18, 2026.

 If they filed the tax returns for 2021 and 2022 but didn’t claim the Child Tax Credit and were eligible, they can file an amended tax return for those years.  Again, they must file an amendment for 2021 by April 18, 2025 and an amendment for 2022 by April 18, 2026.

Your parents can review the IRS link to determine if they are eligible:

Does My Child/Dependent Qualify for the Child Tax Credit or the Credit for Other Dependents?

For more information, review the TurboTax Help article Child Tax Credit and What is the IRS Form 8812?

[xmasbaby0]

The child tax credit was not "for" you to put in your pocket.  It was a tax credit provided to the parent(s) who supported you.  You do not do anything because that money is not yours to claim.   If there was a problem between your parents over the CTC then it is their problem to resolve.   The parent who could claim you as a dependent can file a tax return---or amend their return for that year---to claim the CTC.  For tax year 2020 the CTC was only given for children under the age of 17.  For tax year 2021, it was given for children under the age of 18.   Now it is back to the old rule and for 2022 and 2023, it is only for children younger than 17.

Or....are you actually referring to the stimulus checks that went out for 2020 and 2021?  Again---if  someone could claim you as a dependent you were not eligible for a stimulus check.  The parent who could claim you as a dependent is the one who could get the stimulus check.  Same advice as earlier.  If the stimulus check went to the wrong parent, the parent who could claim you needs to file a tax return or amend their return for those years to get the stimulus check.. But it is not for you to claim.  It is for the parent who supported you.

[Opus 17]

Are you really talking about the child tax credit?  That is money that goes to a parent or someone else who claims a qualifying child dependent.  There are certain income limits and other rules.  If your parents qualified and didn't claim the credit, they must amend their returns.  If they didn't qualify, they didn't qualify.  There is nothing for you to claim now.

Are you talking about the COVID stimulus payments?  Those also went to the parent or other qualifying taxpayer who claimed a dependent.  The money was for the taxpayer, not the dependent, even though it was based partly on the number of dependents a taxpayer claimed.  If you were or could have been claimed as a dependent in 2020 and 2021, you were never eligible for the stimulus. Your parents either were or were not, but they have to take that up with the IRS themselves, there is nothing for you to claim now.

Are you thinking of something completely different?  We would need to know what you are thinking about, but it is almost a sure thing that you can't get money now in place of money your parents didn't get in the past.  If your parents were eligible for anything, they would have to claim it on their tax returns. 

[Opus 17]

Note: If your parents are separated or divorced and there is a dispute between your parents over who should have claimed you as a dependent, only your mother can address this.  She would file an amended return for the years in question and claim you as a dependent (even if someone else already claimed you for that year) which might result in additional tax credits or other benefits.  Then, the IRS will send letters to both parents asking for more information to investigate who should get the credits, based on the rules, the facts of your case, and who has the better proof.   If your mother is awarded the dependent benefits, the other person who claimed you will receive a bill for repayment of excess refund, with interest and possibly a penalty.  But the process will probably take 1-2 years at this point. 

The rules for claiming dependents are here, including the special rules for children of divorced or separated parents.

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p501.pdf