Child tax credit with Guardianship

[legoman629]

In January last year, we were granted temporary guardianship of our grandchild and in September we were granted permanent guardianship. I called the IRS about getting the Child Tax Credit and they told me that because I did not claim her on my 2020 taxes we did not qualify for the credit. What paperwork will we need to make sure we get the credit. 

[RobertB4444]

You did not qualify for the advance payments of the credit because she wasn't on your 2020 return.  You will qualify for the full credit amount on your 2021 return if you enter your granddaughter as your dependent for this year.  As long as she is under 17 you should get either $3000 or $3600.