topic Why am I only receiving $500 for one child (11 months) but $2000 for my first child (6yrs) in Deductions & credits

Why am I only receiving $500 for one child (11 months) but $2000 for my first child (6yrs)

ccmcclay87 — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 04:16:11 GMT

Re: Why am I only receiving $500 for one child (11 months) but $2000 for my first child (6yrs)

DawnC — Wed, 07 Feb 2024 03:45:27 GMT

For the little one, on the question that asks how many months did the child reside with you?, did you enter 12 months, the full year? A child born during the tax year is considered to have lived with you all year, 12 months. Did you accidentally check the box on the screen where you enter the child's SSN? It shouldn't be checked. You may have said the child supported themselves or made a typo on the birthday... any of these could cause the lower credit.

There is a question you need to edit, so go back through the dependent section slowly and check your answers. It is in the My Info section on the left side menu.

Child Tax Credit

Re: Why am I only receiving $500 for one child (11 months) but $2000 for my first child (6yrs)

xmasbaby0 — Wed, 07 Feb 2024 03:44:18 GMT

When you entered information for the baby in My Info did you say the child lived with you for the WHOLE year? You have to say that for a newborn.

Sometimes it helps to delete the child in My Info and re-enter them so that you go through those screens again and catch mistakes made before.

Make sure you have entered your child as a dependent in My Info, and that you have entered the child's Social Security number. Careful— do not say that your child’s SSN is not valid for employment. If your child was born in 2023 make sure you said he lived with you the whole year. There is an oddly worded question that asks if the child paid over half their own support. Say NO to that question.