I was made aware the IRS changed the child credit policy.My fiance and her3 kids live with me full time.I support them all 100%.Can I amend them for child credit?

[kratwell123]

I claimed her 3 children as "other dependents," but now that the policy has changed, can I amend my 2020 taxes and claim them for the child tax credit?

[DoninGA]

No legislation has passed both houses of Congress and the President has not signed any legislation which will change the tax code.  When or if anything is passed and signed then the IRS has to write the regulations and procedures to use for accessing any new type of credit.  This can take from several weeks to several months.

This may also not apply to tax year 2020 and only apply to tax year 2021 and future tax years.

[xmasbaby0]

No.   For one thing the increased child tax credit is not for 2020 returns. It will go into effect for 2021.   Secondly, you cannot get CTC for a child who is not your own child.   If your GF's children live with you and you took care of them all year, you can only get the $500 credit for other dependents for them.   If you get married and become a step-parent--that changes.   Or if your GF has income of her own---she can claim her children and get the child-related credits.

[Bsch4477]

I assume that mother doesn’t file a tax return. If that is the case from what information you posted both she and her child can be claimed as dependents as qualifying relatives (the tax term “relative” doesn’t mean the same as “related to”). But as a qualifying relative the child doesn’t make you eligible for the child tax credit. Only a qualifying child can do that. The first criterion for child tax credit is excerpted from IRS Pub 17 pg. 107. 

Qualifying Child for the CTC
A child qualifies you for the CTC if the child meets all of the following conditions.
1. The child is your son, daughter, stepchild, foster child, brother, sister, stepbrother, stepsister, half brother, half sister, or a
descendant of any of them (for example, your grandchild, niece, or nephew).

[SweetieJean]

Of course, if you marry her, that will all change.

[Bsch4477]

If that happens Sweetie Jean should be invited to the wedding. 😃