Got PATH Act Message But Only Claiming Child Tax Credit?

Do you know if this affects partial Child Tax Credit claims too? I'm only eligible for about half of the full amount this year.

I had this same situation last year. Filed in January with just the CTC, and got that PATH message which threw me for a loop. Ended up waiting until February 27th to get my refund, even though my sister who filed the same day (but with no credits) got hers in 10 days. The system doesn't distinguish between different types of refundable credits when applying the PATH Act hold.

So if I understand correctly: 1. File return with CTC 2. Get PATH Act message 3. Wait until mid-February for processing to begin 4. Expect refund approximately 2-3 weeks after that Is there any way to track progress during this waiting period, or is it just completely silent until it suddenly updates?

The PATH Act specifically delays refunds until February 15th for returns claiming EITC and ACTC (Additional Child Tax Credit). If you claimed exactly $2,000 per qualifying child, that's the standard CTC which isn't subject to PATH. If you claimed more than $2,000 per child (up to $1,600 additional per child for tax year 2023), that additional amount is the ACTC which triggers PATH Act verification. 87% of CTC claims include some portion of ACTC.

How does this tool actually work? I'm hesitant to use something that interprets my tax transcript when the IRS website already shows it. Does it really tell you anything you can't figure out yourself with a little research?

I was penny-pinching and almost didn't try it, but honestly it saved me so much anxiety last year! 😅 My transcript had like 15 different codes that looked like gibberish, and the tool explained each one in plain English. It correctly predicted my deposit date within 1 day. Totally worth it for the peace of mind alone.

I wonder if there's perhaps some other flag on your return that might be triggering the PATH message? It seems unlikely that a straightforward CTC claim would cause such a delay, unless maybe there's something about the refundable portion that most of us aren't aware of.

Like trying to separate flour from a cake after it's baked, isn't it? Is there any way to file in a manner that avoids triggering the PATH Act review, or is it just inevitable if you're claiming any portion of refundable credits?

I checked my return from February 3rd and confirmed that I claimed $2,000 per child plus an additional $1,600 per child as the refundable portion. This matches exactly with what triggers the PATH Act verification process. The verification window began on January 29th this year and continues through February 15th according to the IRS processing calendar.

This happened to me too! I ignored the PATH message thinking it was just standard processing. Four months later I was still waiting, and when I finally got through to someone, they said they'd sent a letter requesting verification that I never received. Had to start the whole process over again.

I almost had this happen, but I checked my transcript and saw code 570 which meant they needed more info. Called right away and got it resolved in two weeks instead of waiting months. Always check your transcript for hold codes!

Same experience here. The IRS representative I spoke with mentioned they're actually required by law to hold these refunds, even when there are no red flags. It's an automatic system delay, not a manual review in most cases.

I've been through this rodeo before. My trick is to file early but mentally prepare for a late February deposit. Then if it comes earlier, it's a pleasant surprise instead of an anxiety-inducing wait.

The PATH Act wasn't actually changed - what you might be thinking of is the IRS's improved processing systems that were supposed to speed up returns in general. The legal requirement to hold refunds with certain credits until February 15th is still in effect.