Deductions & credits

No, it will not hold up your return if you only claim one child but have received the advance payments for the Child Tax Credit for two children.

No, it isn't true that the person that received the advance payments has to claim the child on their 2021 tax return.

Please make sure, you enter the amount received from letter 6419:

1. Login to your TurboTax Account 
2. Click on the "Search" on the top and type "Child tax credit"
3. Click on “Jump to Child Tax Credit”
4. Continue through the questions until the "Tell us about any advance Child Tax Credit payments" screen and enter the advance payment amount from letter 6914.
5. Continue through the questions.

You will have to pay back the advanced payments unless you qualify for the full repayment protection:

"You qualify for full repayment protection and won’t need to repay any excess amount of your advance Child Tax Credit payments if your main home was in the United States for more than half of 2021 and your modified adjusted gross income (AGI) for 2021 is at or below the following amount based on the filing status on your 2021 tax return:

• $60,000 if you are married and filing a joint return or if filing as a qualifying widow or widower;
• $50,000 if you are filing as head of household; and
• $40,000 if you are a single filer or are married and filing a separate return." (IRS)

If you are eligible for forgiveness of advanced child tax credit payments, it should show up on Form 8812. 

There also will not be an amount on Line 19 of Schedule 2.

To preview your Form 1040/ Schedule 2:

1. Click on "Tax Tools" in the left menu
2. Click "Tools"
3. Click "View Tax Summary" in the Tool Center window
4. Click on "Preview my 1040" on the left
5. Scroll down until you see Schedule 2 Additional Taxes. Line 19 Additional Tax from Schedule 8812 will have an amount if the full amount is not forgiven. If you do not see an amount in line 19 Schedule 2, then your advanced child tax credit payments have been forgiven.