Deductions & credits

Hi Rsykes,

In general, each tax year is independent. There is no combining of child tax credit across different tax years.

For tax year 2020 (filed on 5/17/2021), the child tax credit can be $2,000 per qualifying child.

For tax year 2021(to be filed on April 2022), the Child Tax Credit is increased from $2,000 per qualifying child to:

• $3,600 for children ages 5 and under at the end of 2021; and
• $3,000 for children ages 6 through 17 at the end of 2021.

Please see below link Q C1 (Topic C question #1)

https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/2021-child-tax-credit-and-advance-child-tax-credit-payments-t...

You would need to amend your Tax Year 2020 and/or Tax Year 2019 tax returns to claim the correct amount of child tax credit.

Hope this helps and thank you for posting the question.