Do I have to file 2023 taxes in order to to file for my 2021 child tax credit?

[DoninGA]

No you cannot file any other tax return for the child tax credit that was available in 2021.  You either have to file a 2021 tax return or you have to amend the 2021 tax return that was filed.

To complete and file a 2021 tax return using TurboTax you would need to purchase, download and install on a personal computer one of the 2021 desktop editions from this website - https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/past-years-products/

A 2021 tax return can only be printed and mailed, it cannot be e-filed using TurboTax.

OR -

See this TurboTax support FAQ for amending a tax return - https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/tax-return/amend-change-correct-return-a...

[danyalejustine88]

Thank you so much. Very helpful 🙏.

[xmasbaby0]

And.....just to make sure you know.....tax year 2021 is the ONLY tax year for which the child tax credit is given to you even if you did not work.  For all other tax years before 2021 and after 2021, the child tax credit is based on how much you earned from working.   When you prepare your 2021 return, make sure you enter the amounts of the "advance child tax credit" payments that you may have received during the months of July 2021 to December 2021.