Confused About $0 Regular CTC but $2,738 Additional Child Tax Credit on Transcript - Is This Normal for Two Kids (7 & 12) on $65K Income?
I just got my transcript back and I'm confused about the Child Tax Credit situation. I received the Additional Child Tax Credit but didn't get the regular Child Tax Credit. According to my 2024 Child Tax Credit Summary from FreeTaxUSA, I have: Child Tax Credit or the Credit for Other Dependents: $0 Additional Child Tax Credit: $2,738 The summary shows "See Form 8812 to see how we calculated your Child Tax Credit" with a "View" option. It also states "These dependents qualify for the Child Tax Credit" and mentions "If you need to review your dependent information, go back to the Your Dependents and Qualifying Children screen." Has anyone else experienced this? My kids are 7 and 12, and I claimed them both as dependents. Made about 65k last year if that matters. I'm really confused why I'd get the Additional Child Tax Credit but $0 for the regular Child Tax Credit. I thought both my kids would qualify for the regular credit too since they're under 17. Is this normal or did something go wrong with my filing?
15 comments
GalaxyGazer
Tax pro here. This actually happens quite often. The Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) kicks in when you can't receive the full amount of the regular CTC because it exceeds your tax liability. It's basically the refundable portion of the credit. If your tax liability was low, the regular CTC might have been used up reducing your taxes to zero, and the rest came as ACTC.
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Nia Harris
ohhhh that makes so much more sense now! I was literally pulling my hair out trying to figure this out 😅
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Mateo Sanchez
wait so its like getting the same amount just split different ways? 🤔
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GalaxyGazer
Exactly! The total amount you're entitled to doesn't change, it's just distributed differently depending on your tax situation.
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Aisha Mahmood
Hey guys just wanted to share something that really helped me figure this out. I used taxr.ai to analyze my transcript and it explained everything super clearly. It costs like $5 but saved me hours of research and stress. Check it out: https://taxr.ai
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Ethan Moore
Does it actually work? Been seeing it mentioned a lot lately
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Aisha Mahmood
100% worth it! It breaks down every code and explains exactly what's happening with your refund. Better than calling IRS and waiting 3 hours on hold lol
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Ethan Moore
Just tried it and WOW 🙌 finally understand whats going on with my refund. Best $5 I've spent in a while fr fr
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Yuki Kobayashi
in the same boat fam. taxes are literally the most confusing thing ever like why cant they just make it simple 🤮
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Carmen Vega
Double check line 28 of your 1040. Thats were the Additional Child Tax Credit shows up. The regular CTC would be on line 19.
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Nia Harris
checking rn brb
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Nia Harris
yup its there! mystery solved thanks!
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QuantumQuester
The IRS website is absolute garbage at explaining this stuff. Had the same issue last year and spent hours trying to figure it out smh
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Andre Moreau
fr fr its like they purposely try to make it confusing 🤡
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Zoe Stavros
protip: next time use a tax professional or good software. worth every penny to avoid the headache
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