RETURN ADVANCED CHILD TAX CHECK

[aarikalw86]

I was divorced last year and my advanced child tax credit checks were made out to me and my former spouse since we filed jointly in 2020. I am unable to have her sign the check over to me so that it can be deposited into my account. She is not the biological parent and does not support the child. Should I go ahead and send the checks back to the IRS now as voided so that I can claim it when I file my taxes or should I hold onto them a little longer and send them back with my tax returns when I file?

[Vanessa A]

You would need to send the payment back separate from your return, the sooner the better.  When returning the check you will need to write VOID in the endorsement section, include a written explanation as to why you are returning the check and mail to the appropriate IRS site based on your state. 

Returning an Advance Child Tax Credit Payment  

You may want to hold off on filing your return so the IRS has time to process the return of the check or you may run into an issue when you fil,e if the returned check is not processed by the time you file, where the IRS adjusts your amount claimed on your return by the amount of the check received. 

[aarikalw86]

Thank you!