On Form 8379 Line 17 for column (a) can i add the child tax credit and the additional child tax credit as a total?

[JohnW222]

No.  According to the Instructions for Form 8379  for line 17(a) for Tax Year 2019:

"Include any tax credits (except the earned income credit) reported on Form 1040 or 1040-SR, line 13a, or Schedule 3 (Form 1040 or 1040-SR)."

[Bolding mine.]

Form 1040, line 13a, is the Child Tax Credit or Credit for Other Dependents.

Schedule 3 includes a number of other credits, but not the Additional Child Credit, which is reported on line 18b of Form 1040.

[yeseniaf2128]

Thank you JohnW222, but that brings up another question. On my 1040 i dont see a schedule 3 form, where do i find the other credits? Or am i over thinking this and should just add the total from line 13a on the 1040 to line 17a on the form?

[AnnetteB6]

Use the number from line 13a as the entry for line 17a on Form 8379. 

If you do not have Schedule 3 included as part of your return, then you did not have any 'other' nonrefundable credits.  Your Form 1040 line 13b should be the same number as line 13a -- indicating that nothing was reported on Schedule 3.

@yeseniaf2128

[yeseniaf2128]

Thank you. I appreciate that.