If you are married filing separately - can one of the parents still qualify for the child tax credit?

[SweetieJean]

See this re Injured Spouse:
<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1910698-how-do-i-file-form-8379-injured-spouse-allocation">https:/...>

[macuser_22]

Back tax bills will keep growing with interest until they are paid - the sooner they are paid off the better.

[Critter]

By filing a joint return you will not automatically be obligated to pay those prior tax bills however your portion of this years refund can be taken and applied to his delinquent account.  Use the injured spouse form to get your portion released.  And going forward adjust your withholding so that you don't have a refund in future years so you don't need to worry about them grabbing a refund.