Does the IRS have to hold the child tax credit until Mid February? I have no income but was told by the IRS that I could claim the child tax credit with no income.

[genhill1994]

I do not have the earned income tax credit or the additional child tax credit because I have no income. But I got a letter saying I could claim the child tax credit. Will they hold it until mid Feb

[MaryK4]

Yes, unfortunately, the IRS is required to hold all Child Tax Credits until mid-February.  This is an attempt to discourage fraudulent returns (like the criminals would not be willing to wait for their free money), but it does cause delays for legitimate claims.  If you have filed your return, it will be processed and put into a hold until the date it can be released, but you will have to wait.

[fanfare]

The IRS is supposed to use the time to verify the filer is legitimately entitled to the credit, no?.

Not just to frustrate the criminals.

The criminal would submit dozens or hundreds of false returns all at once.

If the measure doesn't work to prevent fraud, well, what else is new?