Let me try to clarify the timeline for Child Tax Credit payments: Step 1: For tax year 2021, the American Rescue Plan temporarily increased the CTC to $3,000-$3,600 and offered monthly advance payments from July-December 2021. Step 2: For tax year 2022, the CTC reverted to $2,000 per qualifying child. No monthly payments. Step 3: For tax year 2023 (what you're filing now in 2024), the CTC remains at $2,000 per qualifying child. Again, no monthly payments. Step 4: For tax year 2024 (what you'll file next year), the CTC is currently set at $2,000 per qualifying child unless Congress changes it. Does that help clarify which tax year you're asking about?

According to IRC Section 24(h)(2), the Child Tax Credit amount for 2023 is $2,000 per qualifying child, with up to $1,600 being refundable as the Additional Child Tax Credit under Section 24(i)(1). There were no advance payments issued for tax year 2023. The advance payment program was specifically authorized under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (P.L. 117-2) and only applied to tax year 2021. If you received monthly payments, those would have been reconciled on your 2021 tax return filed in 2022, not on your current return.

I work at a tax firm and we're seeing this pattern with all our freelance clients: if you have Schedule C income, you need to amend to get the exclusion. It's different from the unemployment exclusion in previous years where the IRS did most adjustments automatically. Think of it like the difference between a rebate check (automatic) versus a tax credit you have to claim (requires action). Your unchanged transcript is similar to what we're seeing with other freelancers - the IRS computer system simply isn't programmed to automatically detect and apply this particular exclusion for most 1099 workers.

I waited 3 months thinking they'd adjust my return automatically because that's what they did with my unemployment income exclusion back in 2021. Complete waste of time! Finally called and found out I needed to amend. Submitted my amendment in April and just got the adjusted refund last week. Could have had that money months earlier if I'd known. The really frustrating part? My neighbor who had unemployment income (not freelance) got his adjustment automatically without doing anything. The system makes no sense.

Word of warning from someone who's been there - don't wait for the IRS letter method to work before taking action. 😅 I sent a letter similar to what you're planning and waited... and waited... and waited. Six months later, I got a form response suggesting I file Form 4852. By then, I was dealing with failure-to-file penalties that took another three months to get removed. The IRS mail system is... how do I put this nicely... not exactly known for its speed. File that extension ASAP while you work on getting the actual information!

Based on collective experience from this sub, your most efficient path forward is: 1. Request your Wage and Income Transcript from irs.gov/transcripts 2. File Form 4852 using data from your last paystub or transcript 3. Submit Form 3949-A to report the employer's failure to provide W-2 4. File Form 4868 for an extension if needed The consensus here is that waiting for employer compliance rarely works if they've already missed the deadline by this much. The IRS actually has your wage data in their system already - employers submit this information separately from sending you your copy. Your focus should be on accessing that information rather than waiting for an uncooperative employer.

I'm seeing a pattern with married-filing-jointly returns this year! My husband and I filed on January 23rd, claimed EITC, and had the PATH message until last week. Our transcript showed TC 150 (return filed) on February 19th, then TC 570 (hold) on February 26th, followed by TC 571 (hold released) and TC 846 (refund issued) on March 4th. The PATH Act verification seems to be taking longer for joint returns in 2024 - possibly due to the marriage tax credit changes. Check for these specific codes on your transcript!

Just to clarify - are you seeing the PATH message in Where's My Refund or on your transcript? They sometimes show different statuses. Also, did you claim any credits like the Earned Income Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit? Those are the ones specifically affected by the PATH Act hold.

I went through this exact situation last year. Filed January 21st, accepted January 22nd, got the PATH message around February 5th, and then just had to wait. I was checking WMR and transcripts multiple times daily, driving myself crazy! But here's what happened: my transcript updated on February 26th (the day before PATH lifted) with an 846 code and a DDD of March 1st. The money was in my account exactly on that date. The waiting is brutal, especially when you're counting on that money, but if you've got the PATH message already, it's usually just a matter of waiting for the date.

According to Internal Revenue Code §6402(m) and the PATH Act provisions under §201 of P.L. 114-113, the IRS is legally prohibited from issuing refunds for returns claiming EITC or ACTC before February 27th, 2024. Your acceptance on January 24th places you in Cycle 20240405, which is NOT part of the test batch (those were primarily accepted January 16-19). If you have a PATH message now, your return has likely completed systemic verification and is in the final processing queue. CRITICAL: The IRS will begin releasing refunds with EITC/ACTC claims on February 27th, but direct deposits typically take 1-5 business days to reach accounts. If you don't see an update by March 4th, you should immediately request your account transcript to check for additional verification codes!