Why am I only getting a $500 tax credit for my son who turned 18 in Oct and still in high school? Don't I get $3000.00?

[xmasbaby0]

No.   The child tax credit increase has not been signed into law; and it is not for 2020.   That increase and age change are for 2021 (if it passes).    For your 2020 return the rule is the same---you do not get the child tax credit for a child who was older than 16 at the end of 2020.   You get the $500 credit for other dependents.

[SweetieJean]

Are you talking about the stimulus?  It's currently $500 per "Other Dependent," as your son is over 16.

An increased stimulus amount is part of a proposed  bill that has not yet been enacted by Congress, but the amount they're talking about is $1,400 for any high schoolers over the age of 16.  $3,000 is the proposed enhanced Child Tax Credit, but only for ages up to 17.  And we don't know yet if it will be retroactive to 2020.

All we can do is wait until these bills actually become law, and procedures are issued for implementation.