How can I get the child tax credit for 2021 if I did not claim my son in 2020? (It was his dad’s year to claim my son, we alternate).

[diana-kushner]

I will claim him in 2021.

[Opus 17]

The IRS indicates that "later" this year, they will update their web site to allow you to enter information about a child you plan to claim for 2021 but did not claim for 2020, so you can get the advance payments.  See F3 here

https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/2021-child-tax-credit-and-advance-child-tax-credit-payments-t...

If you don't update the IRS or don't get advance payments, you would get the full amount when you file your return. 

[Critter-3]

More importantly for the father is that he OPT OUT of the advance payment if you will claim the child on the 2021 return ... if he does not then he will have to repay all of the advance credit.  The IRS will make a portal available for just this situation.  

[Opus 17]

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@Critter-3 wrote:

More importantly for the father is that he OPT OUT of the advance payment if you will claim the child on the 2021 return ... if he does not then he will have to repay all of the advance credit.  The IRS will make a portal available for just this situation.  

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The Opt-out or "unenroll" portal seems to be live, but other promised functions ("enroll" and "update bank account") have not been added yet.

https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-payments-in-2021