You do not select the Child Tax credit (CTC). If you are entitled to it, TurboTax (TT) will automatically give it to you. So, why do you think you need to file an amended return to claim the CTC?
Retroactive claims are no longer allowed for earned income credit (EIC), child tax credit (CTC) or American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOC) for any taxable year for which the taxpayer has a taxpayer identification number that has been issued after the due date for filing the return for such taxable year. That is, a taxpayer who files a return with an ITIN and later receives a SSN may not amend prior year return to claim EIC or amend a prior year return to claim CTC or AOC for a dependent who later received an ITIN or SSN.
http://taxprep4free.org/OSHC/Tax%20Training/Policy_Tax%20Law/Recent_Changes_to_TY15_Tax_Law_v2.pdf http://www.thetaxadviser.com/newsletters/2016/jan/congress-makes-changes-to-popular-tax-credits.html
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There are 6 possible reasons; you aren’t getting the Child Tax credit (CTC):
1. You’ve entered something wrong. In the personal Info section, for the dependent, you must select answers that indicate that he/she is your dependent child. If the child was born during the year, say he/she lived with you all year (note: TurboTax changed how this section is done two years ago, you may need to go thru the interview again or even delete your dependent and start over). If the child was born in 2016, you have to answer that he lived with you all year.
2. Your child may be too old (over 16). This comes as a big surprise to many parents the year their child turns 17. A child over age 16 no longer qualifies for the Child Tax credit (CTC). Although a child can still be a student dependent through age 23, and a qualifying child for EIC, the Child Tax Credit expires the year they turn 17 and you no longer get the $1000 CTC.
3. Your income is too high. The Child Tax Credit (CTC) is phased out at higher incomes starting at $110,000 for joint filers ($75K single). You lose $50 for each $1000 (rounding up) your income is over that threshold.
4. Your income is too low. The child tax credit (CTC) is also limited to your tax liability. The CTC is a non-refundable credit and can only reduce your income tax to 0, It can not help you beyond eliminating your tax liability. But, if you have more than $3000 of earned income, some or all of it is usually given back to you thru the "Additional Child tax credit". That is, part of the CTC may be on line 43 of form 1040A instead of line 35 (lines 67 & 52 of form 1040). In the on-line version of TT, the main Form 1040, 1040A or 1040EZ can be seen through Tools, View Tax Summary, Preview My 1040 or go to Print Center and then choose to Preview. The ACTC is calculated on form 8812; that form is not viewable in the online version of TT until you have paid for your return. But, the ACTC is basically 15% of your earned income over $3000.
5. You are the custodial parent and the non-custodial parent is claiming the dependent this year. The CTC goes with the dependency, even though the custodial parent still gets the Earned Income Credit, Dependent care credit and Head of Household.
6. Another possibility is that part of your tax due is not regular income tax, but is self-employment, early distribution penalty or another type of additional tax, for which the CTC cannot be used.
To get a 'second opinion' on-line direct from IRS, try https://www.irs.gov/uac/is-my-child-a-qualifying-child-for-the-child-tax-credit
The CTC is automatically entered on the return by the program if you list a qualifying child as a dependent and your income is high enough but not too high.
Why do you think you didn't get the CTC or the ACTC ?
Please see the list below for which line(s) to check depending on the form that is being filed
• Form 1040 - Line 52, or if you had zero tax liability, look at Line 67
• Form 1040A - Line 35, or if you had zero tax liability, look at Line 35
I only got back 597 or some where around there there last year and every child is credited as a $1,000. I'm head of household he lived with me full time. We both had insurance. I'm not married I'm a single mother.
Okay thank u for that page. I only trust Trubo Tax that's why I came and asked here thank u guys very very much see you guys soon. Or rather I'll hear from you as soon as I do my taxes this year thanks team your amazing
The CTC comes in 2 pieces ... the first part reduces your taxes, then the second part (ACTC) is what is refundable. So look at your return ... what you didn't use in the credits section would have been used in the payments section of the form 1040. This year review the return carefully and look for this situation on the return.
You do not select the Child Tax credit (CTC). If you are entitled to it, TurboTax (TT) will automatically give it to you. So, why do you think you need to file an amended return to claim the CTC?
Retroactive claims are no longer allowed for earned income credit (EIC), child tax credit (CTC) or American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOC) for any taxable year for which the taxpayer has a taxpayer identification number that has been issued after the due date for filing the return for such taxable year. That is, a taxpayer who files a return with an ITIN and later receives a SSN may not amend prior year return to claim EIC or amend a prior year return to claim CTC or AOC for a dependent who later received an ITIN or SSN.
http://taxprep4free.org/OSHC/Tax%20Training/Policy_Tax%20Law/Recent_Changes_to_TY15_Tax_Law_v2.pdf http://www.thetaxadviser.com/newsletters/2016/jan/congress-makes-changes-to-popular-tax-credits.html
______________________________________________________________________________________
There are 6 possible reasons; you aren’t getting the Child Tax credit (CTC):
1. You’ve entered something wrong. In the personal Info section, for the dependent, you must select answers that indicate that he/she is your dependent child. If the child was born during the year, say he/she lived with you all year (note: TurboTax changed how this section is done two years ago, you may need to go thru the interview again or even delete your dependent and start over). If the child was born in 2016, you have to answer that he lived with you all year.
2. Your child may be too old (over 16). This comes as a big surprise to many parents the year their child turns 17. A child over age 16 no longer qualifies for the Child Tax credit (CTC). Although a child can still be a student dependent through age 23, and a qualifying child for EIC, the Child Tax Credit expires the year they turn 17 and you no longer get the $1000 CTC.
3. Your income is too high. The Child Tax Credit (CTC) is phased out at higher incomes starting at $110,000 for joint filers ($75K single). You lose $50 for each $1000 (rounding up) your income is over that threshold.
4. Your income is too low. The child tax credit (CTC) is also limited to your tax liability. The CTC is a non-refundable credit and can only reduce your income tax to 0, It can not help you beyond eliminating your tax liability. But, if you have more than $3000 of earned income, some or all of it is usually given back to you thru the "Additional Child tax credit". That is, part of the CTC may be on line 43 of form 1040A instead of line 35 (lines 67 & 52 of form 1040). In the on-line version of TT, the main Form 1040, 1040A or 1040EZ can be seen through Tools, View Tax Summary, Preview My 1040 or go to Print Center and then choose to Preview. The ACTC is calculated on form 8812; that form is not viewable in the online version of TT until you have paid for your return. But, the ACTC is basically 15% of your earned income over $3000.
5. You are the custodial parent and the non-custodial parent is claiming the dependent this year. The CTC goes with the dependency, even though the custodial parent still gets the Earned Income Credit, Dependent care credit and Head of Household.
6. Another possibility is that part of your tax due is not regular income tax, but is self-employment, early distribution penalty or another type of additional tax, for which the CTC cannot be used.
To get a 'second opinion' on-line direct from IRS, try https://www.irs.gov/uac/is-my-child-a-qualifying-child-for-the-child-tax-credit
Looks like a BUG in TurboTax software with respect to 2018 tax year filing...At the time of my 2018 tax year filing the ITIN was active and I have used ITIN for many years. I became permanent resident in 2015 and continued using only ITIN for tax filing years 2016, 2017.... Later due to TCJA in 2018 looks like taxpayer should claim CTC only using SSN...turbo tax hasn’t given any hint or message that claiming with ITIN was disallowed for CTC in 2018 and tax payers are supposed to use SSN.
Due to this I lost getting my refund from IRS and also paid about 525 back to IRS!!!!!
Sorry but this is your error alone ... once a SS# is issued you MUST stop using the ITIN for everything ... your failure to properly use the SS# as directed in the paperwork you must have gotten when the number was issued to replace the ITIN means you lost the credit not the TT program. It is not the program's job to police what number you enter in the program since it is a DIY situation ... it is your responsibility to use the correct number that was issued.
Per the IRS :
What do I do when I am assigned a social security number (SSN)?
Once you receive a SSN, you must use that number for tax purposes and discontinue using your ITIN. It is improper to use both the ITIN and the SSN assigned to the same person to file tax returns.
It is your responsibility to notify the IRS so we can combine all of your tax records under one identification number. If you do not notify the IRS when you are assigned a SSN, you may not receive credit for all wages paid and taxes withheld which could reduce the amount of any refund due. You can visit a local IRS office or write a letter explaining that you have now been assigned a SSN and want your tax records combined. Include your complete name, mailing address, and ITIN along with a copy of your social security card and a copy of the CP 565, Notice of ITIN Assignment, if available. The IRS will void the ITIN and associate all prior tax information filed under the ITIN with the SSN. Send your letter to:
Internal Revenue Service
Austin, TX 73301 - 0057
Sorry ... I just re read your post ... the 2018 program would not allow the CTC on an ITIN once the program was updated to include the new rule. If you filed early, before the change was made, there was the possibility the return was done incorrectly. You may have a claim using one of the guarantees ...
I sued TT and the software did not give the the tax credit. What went wrong with the software?
@kpehe5 wrote:
I sued TT and the software did not give the the tax credit. What went wrong with the software?
Did you
READ
the answer at the top of this thread?What about the Child Tax Credit for 2021? If I filed but didn't check the box, can I amend my return? And if so, how do I do it?
The new (expanded) Child tax credit ($3000; $3600 for kids under 6) is effective for 2021. There is a provision for advanced monthly payments being made in 2021. The payments will come from the IRS, similar to the stimulus payments.
Getting the expanded child tax credit has nothing to do with filing your 2020 tax return. Whether you already filed, file now or file later, the additional money will not be part of your 2020 tax refund. Nor will the $1400 third stimulus.
There will be monthly child tax credit payments going out beginning in JULY 2021, with some of the CTC still left as a refundable credit on your 2021 tax return next year.
use this IRS portal
https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/child-tax-credit-update-portal
Thank you Critter-3. However when we go check on the IRS site to see if we're eligible for the Child Tax Credit we're told that if we didn't check the box next to our baby's name we're not eligible. As you can see the box isn't checked.
When was your daughter born? If she was born in 2020 you needed to pick that she lived with you the Whole year when you entered her.
A child born (even on Dec 31) is considered to live with you the whole year. So pick the Whole Year at the top of the drop down box.
You may need to amend your return.
Maybe I misunderstood your response. I need to amend our 2020 taxes. Our son was born in 2020 but we lived overseas (active duty military), and didn't receive a social for him until after we filed in 2021. Are we not going to receive a CTC for him when we amend?
No
You will not get a credit for that child even if you amend your 2020 return unless it was issued before your 2020 return was due including extensions.
According to the IRS:
"Each qualifying child you use for the CTC or ACTC must have the required SSN. If you have a qualifying child who does not have the required SSN, you cannot use the child to claim the CTC or ACTC on either your original or an amended 2020 return. The required SSN is one that is valid for employment and is issued before the due date of your 2020 return (including extensions)."
Kris,
I have an ITIN for my daughter born 10/20/21. I believe I can use the ITIN on my 2021 tax return and will receive a $500 credit for other dependents. Based on my readings it appears that since I was issued an ITIN prior to the original due date of the 2021 tax return I would then be allowed to amend the 2021 tax return and claim the CTC and get the remaining $3,100. Can you confirm if this is correct? I haven't been able to find any definitive support in code or publications saying this situation is allowed to amend for the CTC.
Thank you for your time.
Kevin
No, you may not claim the child tax credit for a child with an ITIN. The child must have an SSN to be a qualifying child eligible for the child tax credit (CTC), additional child tax credit (ACTC), refundable child tax credit (RCTC) or the nonrefundable child tax credit (NCTC).
@kevinbm84
its a glitch in turbo tax system 2 years in a row I didnt get ctc for one of my kids and the box wasnt checked either
Whether or not the box gets checked depends on how you answer the questions about your child and if they qualify. This isn't a glitch.
If you need to change something you would need to Amend Your Return for 2020 in order to claim the ctc if you did not get it in 2020. The rules for the CTC have changed for 2021, there is no income lower limit as there was before.