Child Tax Credit

[aTTicus426]

I have spoken to 2 different TT 'tax 'experts' and both calls were dropped (after hours on the phone Ticket Number [phone number removed]) when they couldn't answer my question...

I have three children all under the age of 6. The software has calculated Child Tax Credits for 2 children but the third child (2 yrs old) has been designated as an Other Dependent.

Child number 3 meets ALL criteria for Child Tax Credits - i.e., SSN, lived with family all year, is not adopted or fostered - why can't anyone tell me what the issue is here?  

Thanks

[KrisD15]

Please look at your 1040 and Schedule 8812. 

For Schedule 8812, look at line 4. This should list the number of children that qualify for the Child tax Credit. 

Line 6 lists "Other Dependents".

Is one child listed on Line 6?  If yes, please review the interview questions for that child in the "personal Info" section or delete and re-enter. 

If all three are listed on line 4, continue to Part II.

Part II on Schedule 8812 lists "Additional Child Tax Credit". This is when the entire credit cannot be used against your tax liability, so the excess is used to increase your refund, is this what is happening? 

If yes, that will be listed on your 1040 line 28. 

For TurboTax Desktop, switch to Forms (top right) 

• 
  To View using TurboTax Online:
  Select Tax Tools on the left side-bar
  Select Tools from that drop-down
  Select “View Tax Summary” on the TOOLS CENTER screen
  Select “Preview my 1040” which now appears on the left side-bar
• Look for Schedule 8812
   

[aTTicus426]

Thank you for your response and to let you know that I have done all you suggested. I completed the Schedule 8812 per your instructions and the result is a full $2,000 per child (total of $6,000) is due according to the process.

Also, per your instructions, I have checked the data input under Personal Info in the TT questions - all three children are appropriately identified as 'Dependents' with correct SSN numbers. However, when I look at the resulting 1040 pdf, it shows 2 children under Child Tax Credit and 1 child under Credit for Other Dependents.  There is NOTHING I have input into Turbo Tax that relates to Other Dependents!  This is why I have told everyone I've spoken to that it is a software error.

So, I'm still no further along finding out why Turbo Tax has mis-identified my dependents and no closer to completing my tax return.  It should not be this hard.

Thanks

[AmyC · Accepted solution]

Let's try one more thing since the software isn't having this problem for others, I think it may be a data issue. Follow these steps:

Desktop version: 

1. Delete the third child
2. Save your return while closing the program.
3. Update the program
4. Open
5. Enter the information again.

Online version:

A full or corrupted cache can cause problems in TurboTax, so sometimes you need to clear your cache (that is, remove these temporary files).

For stuck information follow these steps:

1. Delete the child/form/ worksheet- if possible, see How to Delete  
2. Log out of your return and try one or more of the following:
   • Don't use Internet Explorer.
   • Clear cache and cookies,
   • Sign in using a different browser.
   • Sign in using a different device.
3. Log back into your return.
   • Enter the information again.

[aTTicus426]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Once I'd deleted the initial information, saved the changes then re-input data, the end result went from:

Tax Payment due $745

to

Tax Refund due $745

Thank you for hanging with me to correct the problem.

Emma

[asiscanaw]

THIS HAPPENED TO ME, AND MAYBE EVEN FOR YEARS. You need to go back and delete and reenter the child. Now, I need to audit all my past tax returns. What a pain Turbotax!

[Bartholomew90]

Wat if I nearly started working can I still get child tax credit 

[xmasbaby0]

@Bartholomew90 Please explain what you mean by ....."I nearly started working...."  What does that mean---or is that a typo or a weird "auto-correct?"    

[xmasbaby0]

@Bartholomew90 In a private message you shared that there was a typo and that you really meant you "barely" started working.   So if the question is whether you can get the refundable child tax credit if you only worked a little bit ----then we would need more details.   You have to earn at least $2500 to get the refundable child tax credit.  But if you only earned a small amount over $2500, then your credit would be very low.   In order to get the full amount of up to $1600 you must earn more than the minimum of $2500.   Here is how the refundable amount is calculated:

The child tax credit is a credit of UP to $2000, but not everyone gets the full amount.  First the credit is applied to any tax you owe.  Then the "refundable" amount of up to $1600 ( $1700 for 2024)  is calculated.  Look at box 1 of your W-2.  Subtract $2500 from that.  Then take that number and multiply by 15%.  That is your refundable amount --or "additional child tax credit" amount.   If you did not earn at least $2500 you cannot get any additional child tax credit at all.

And for earned income credit:

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1899157-what-are-the-qualifications-for-the-earned-income-credit-e...

https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/earned-income-tax-credit/use-the-eitc-assistant