topic My stepson qualified for the child tax credit in 2017, but not in 2019, and I was never able to figure out why. Stimulus pymt triggered me to look back into it. in Deductions & credits

My stepson qualified for the child tax credit in 2017, but not in 2019, and I was never able to figure out why. Stimulus pymt triggered me to look back into it.

dfjames727 — Tue, 05 Jan 2021 20:12:03 GMT

We claim him on odd years per agreement with his mother.

Re: My stepson qualified for the child tax credit in 2017, but not in 2019, and I was never able to figure out why. Stimulus pymt triggered me to look back into it.

DoninGA — Tue, 05 Jan 2021 20:13:37 GMT

If he was age 17 or older in 2019 he is not eligible for the Child Tax Credit or a stimulus payment.

Re: My stepson qualified for the child tax credit in 2017, but not in 2019, and I was never able to figure out why. Stimulus pymt triggered me to look back into it.

dfjames727 — Tue, 05 Jan 2021 20:20:00 GMT

He was 13, should have mentioned that.

Re: My stepson qualified for the child tax credit in 2017, but not in 2019, and I was never able to figure out why. Stimulus pymt triggered me to look back into it.

DoninGA — Tue, 05 Jan 2021 20:28:35 GMT

@dfjames727 wrote:

He was 13, should have mentioned that.

Using TurboTax you should have indicated that he was your Child, stepchild is your Child. Verify his date of birth. Verify that you indicated that he lived with you for the whole year. Verify that you indicated that he did NOT provide over one-half of his own support. Verify that you indicated there was NOT another person in the household who also supported him. Verify that you indicated that you were the parent to claim the child.

If all the above were entered in the My Info section of the program for dependent's then he should have qualified for being your dependent and the Child Tax Credit.

You will have to amend 2019 tax return that was filed to get the Child Tax Credit.

See this TurboTax support FAQ for amending a 2019 tax return - https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/tax-topics/help/how-do-i-amend-a-2019-return-in-turbotax/01/1238456

For the $500 stimulus payment for an eligible dependent you can claim that on the 2020 tax return being filed in 2021.

Re: My stepson qualified for the child tax credit in 2017, but not in 2019, and I was never able to figure out why. Stimulus pymt triggered me to look back into it.

dfjames727 — Tue, 05 Jan 2021 20:37:49 GMT

I started an amend and double checked those items and they were all checked off correctly. I will go back thru and try again. Thank you for confirming I wasn’t reading something incorrectly.

Re: My stepson qualified for the child tax credit in 2017, but not in 2019, and I was never able to figure out why. Stimulus pymt triggered me to look back into it.

dfjames727 — Wed, 06 Jan 2021 01:54:23 GMT

Oh goodness, I found my error. On the “Tell us about” page for the dependent, and under “This child is...” section at the bottom, I had accidentally clicked on “none of the above” which then is listing him as “adoption final before 2019”. He isn’t adopted, and that’s what removed him from the child tax credit.
You can’t unselect this option so I had to delete his information entirely and re-enter it again making sure to not click on anything I shouldn’t be. Good lesson in slowing down and not being click happy.