I googled and found a few articles. You're right. The amount in the IRS portal has to match. Our letter matched the portal. No checks got back to them yet -- months later. Per one new article ->"Check your online IRS account to see if your information has been updated. If the information on your account shows the same as the letters but it is inaccurate" do either 1 or 2.
Option 1: Go ahead and submit your taxes with the information on file so your tax refund isn't delayed and then file an amended return once your IRS account shows the correct amount owed to you
Option 2: File your taxes with the amount that's actually owed to you. This could result in your tax refund being delayed as it'll likely cause extra processing for the IRS. Jaeger says that if you go this route, it could be months before you get your refund.
I did 1 and the return was accepted. I then called [phone number removed] to have the "IRS trace the checks" I errantly returned. Been waiting on hold for 2 hours. Hung up, will try tomorrow. Will check with new id.me IRS account and see if the child tax credit balances come true in the future to reflect the uncashed checks.
