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I just went through this process for my 2023 taxes with our November baby, and it was much simpler than our rental property deductions! You'll need to get a Social Security Number for your baby though - the hospital will give you the paperwork, but it takes a few weeks to process. The IRS won't accept your return claiming the credit without a valid SSN for the child.
Isn't there also an adoption credit that's different from the Child Tax Credit? What if someone adopts a newborn instead of having a biological child? Would they qualify for both in the same tax year?
Think of adoption credits like buying a house vs. the Child Tax Credit like your annual property tax benefits. The adoption credit (up to $15,950 for 2024) covers qualified adoption expenses, while the $2,000 Child Tax Credit is an annual benefit for having a dependent child. You can claim both, but they serve different purposes - one for the upfront costs of adoption, the other for ongoing support of raising a child.
Congratulations on your upcoming bundle of joy! š As a parent who just went through this process, I can confirm that the $2,000 Child Tax Credit for 2024 is exactly right. What's great is that even though your baby arrives in June, you'll qualify for the full credit when you file your 2024 taxes next year - no proration needed! With your combined income of $185k, you're well within the safe zone. The phase-out doesn't start until $400k for married filing jointly, so you have plenty of breathing room there. One tip from my experience: start the Social Security number application process at the hospital right after birth. It typically takes 4-6 weeks to receive the card, and you'll need that SSN to claim the credit on your 2024 return. If for some reason it doesn't arrive by April 15, 2025, you can always file an extension to give yourself more time. Also, don't forget that up to $1,600 of that $2,000 credit is refundable, meaning you could get money back even if you don't owe taxes. The remaining $400 can offset any tax liability you have. It's honestly one of the more straightforward tax benefits to claim!
Check your transcript for cycle codes - those are way more important than the as of date tbh
where do i find the cycle codes?
look at the numbers on the left side of ur transcript entries. first 2 digits are the cycle week
Same thing happened to me last year - my as of date jumped around like crazy for weeks and I was losing sleep over it. Turns out it was just routine processing and I got my refund exactly when WMR originally said I would. The IRS systems are confusing but try not to stress too much about the date changes alone!
Call the IRS directly. Sometimes these messages pop up due to system glitches. Better to get confirmation from an agent that everything's okay with your account.
This "INFO" status is actually pretty normal for early 2024 - the IRS runs automated background processes to prepare accounts for the new tax year, which can temporarily make your information unavailable. Since your 2022 and 2023 show clean $0 balances, you're likely in good standing. The system just needs time to complete whatever routine processing is happening. I'd give it another week or two before worrying, but if it persists beyond that, definitely call the IRS to confirm everything's okay.
Just amended my 2023 return last month. Used turbo tax and it wasnt too bad tbh
did u do it yourself or get help?
Did it myself but ngl that taxr.ai thing helped alot with understanding the process
Just went through this exact situation last year! You definitely need to file the amendment separately - there's no way to combine tax years. I made the mistake of waiting thinking it would be easier and ended up paying extra interest. The good news is that if you owe money, the sooner you file the amendment, the sooner the interest stops accumulating on the additional amount. If you're getting a refund from the amendment, you'll want to file ASAP to get that money back. Don't procrastinate like I did!
QuantumQueen
Based on the current processing timeline, I'd recommend your friend submit the requested documents by April 30th at the latest. If they do that, they could potentially see a new DDD by June 15th. Another option is to check if they can upload the documents through the IRS online account portal rather than mailing them - as of March 1st, 2024, the IRS expanded their digital document submission options for certain verification requests.
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Aisha Rahman
ā¢Just to clarify, per Internal Revenue Manual 21.5.6, taxpayers responding to these verification requests should retain proof of submission. The IRS allows 30 days from the date of the letter for response before taking adverse action, though extensions may be requested by calling the number on the notice.
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Zara Rashid
As someone who's dealt with IRS verification requests before, I'd strongly suggest your friend respond ASAP with the requested documents. The key thing is that once the IRS flags a return for additional verification, any existing DDD gets canceled until they complete their review. For international students specifically, make sure to include a copy of your I-20 or DS-2019 along with the W2-G and 1099 forms - the IRS sometimes needs to verify your tax status. Also, send everything via certified mail so you have proof of delivery. The waiting is brutal, but being proactive with the documentation really helps speed things up!
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