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.
**Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**
