Claiming 8 year old and recently 18 year old for Child Tax Credit; only shows $500 for Child Tax Credit? Why?

[skallsen81]

Hello, 

I am wondering if the updated IRS tax forms have been updated in Turbotax for those claiming children for the child tax credits. I am claiming my two sons 8 years/18 years (Turned 18 in Nov. 21') on taxes. Everything is entered correctly. However, States when I am asked if I received any advanced child credit in 21', I stated, "No" because I only claim them on even years, so I did not receive anything based off taxes in 2020 in 2021, so therefore, should receive that child tax credit of $3500 ($3k for 8 year old/$500 for 18 year old). My income is $41k/Head of Household. However, Turbo tax only says I get $500 child tax credit? I do not think this is accurate on the programs end. Please advise, thank you!

[xmasbaby0]

You cannot get the child tax credit for a child who turned 18 before 2021 ended.   You can only get the CTC for the younger child.   If you are claiming the 18 year old you can get the $500 credit for other dependents for him.

If you enter correctly that you did not receive any advance child tax credit for the younger one, then the $3000 CTC should end up on line 28 of your Form 1040.   The $500 credit will show up on line 19.

Go through that section VERY carefully.   Mistakes will cause long delays in processing your return.

[xmasbaby0]

PREVIEW 1040

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1901539-how-do-i-preview-my-turbotax-online-return-before-filing

Click on Tax Tools on the left side of the screen. Click on Tools. Click on View Tax Summary. Click on Preview my 1040 on the left side of the screen.

NOTE:   The CTC is indeed a “credit” that can be applied toward any tax liability that you would otherwise have to pay as “tax due”  to the IRS.

[skallsen81]

Hello, 

Thank you! I am checking out line 28 and nothing shows up! I redid the section multiple times and only gives me the credit for my oldest, but not for my youngest. So the $500 only shows up. I do not know what I am doing wrong. I have used Turbotax for years and I do not know why it is not acknowledging my youngest child for that tax credit. The EIC shows up, and the dependent credit of $500, but not the other credit.  Also, it shows both of my sons added, but the youngest is 'grayed out' for whatever reason, so thinking that is why. They are both added ask dependents and I indicated I claim both of them and the program stated they qualify, so why are one of my son's grayed out and the box not checked?

[xmasbaby0]

Sometimes it helps to delete a dependent and re-enter them.   Try deleting the younger one and enter the information again.

Make sure you have entered your child as a dependent in My Info, and that you have entered the child's Social Security number. If your child was born in 2021make sure you said he lived with you the whole year. A child born before 2021 had to live with you for at least half the year in order for you to claim the child.   There is an oddly worded question that asks if the child paid over half their own support.  Say NO to that question.

[Critter-3]

Delete the child and enter them again from scratch so you get all the child related questions in that section ... you must have answered one incorrectly. 

[skallsen81]

No, I didn't answer it incorrectly, but will re-enter both of them. I noticed on the worksheet that the top dependent is grayed out, the second was checked and the fillable box is editable underneath both of them but there are only two dependents, so it is odd.  

Hope that re-doing it will fix the issue. Thanks

[skallsen81]

It worked with re-entering..Thank you. Quick follow up question...with the stimulus that was NOT received and you are now claiming it on 21' taxes...will that show up with the rest of the federal refund, or be separate after the IRS cross checks? 

Thank you, 

SK

[xmasbaby0]

Go through the Federal Review section for the recovery rebate credit for the 3rd EIP.   Answer the questions carefully.   The credit shows up on line 30 of your Form 1040 and adds to your refund.   Your refund is on line 35a.