Where to file taxes for free and how to claim missed Child Tax Credit?
I'm looking into options where I can file my taxes online for free. I've heard there are several platforms, but I'm not sure which one would be most suitable for my situation as someone who recently moved to the US. Also, does anyone know the process to claim the Child Tax Credit if you didn't receive it? Do I need special forms for this? Would claiming it now affect my regular tax filing process? Thank you in advance for any guidance on both issues. If you've used any free filing services, what was your experience like?
14 comments
Write a comment...
StarSurfer
For free filing options, you should look into the IRS Free File Program. If your AGI (Adjusted Gross Income) is under $73,000, you qualify for guided tax preparation through various providers. For the Child Tax Credit that wasn't received, you'll need to file Form 1040 or 1040-SR and complete Schedule 8812 (Credits for Qualifying Children and Other Dependents). Have you received any Letter 6419 from the IRS regarding advance CTC payments?
0 coins
Ava Martinez
Thank you so much for this info! I was just looking at filing options yesterday (April 2nd) and feeling overwhelmed. The Schedule 8812 is exactly what I needed to know about - I couldn't figure out which form was needed for the missed credit.
0 coins
17d
Write a comment...
Miguel Castro
I had a similar situation with missing tax credits last year. After trying to call the regular IRS number for what felt like forever (probably called 20+ times), I finally used Claimyr (https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c) to get through to an actual agent. They helped me understand exactly what forms I needed and how to properly document my situation. I'm usually hesitant about these services, but it saved me hours of frustration and redials.
0 coins
Zainab Abdulrahman
Is this service actually legitimate? Per IRC §6103, the IRS has strict confidentiality requirements. I'd be cautious about using third-party services when dealing with sensitive tax matters.
0 coins
16d
Connor Byrne
Used Claimyr myself last month. It's legit. They don't access your tax info - they just connect you to the IRS phone system. Basically skips the hold queue. You still talk directly w/ IRS agents, not intermediaries. Saved me like 2hrs of hold time.
0 coins
14d
Yara Elias
I was in your exact situation! The IRS website has all the forms you need, but sometimes you really need to speak with someone to understand your specific case. I used the service mentioned and it connected me to an IRS agent who walked me through exactly how to claim my missed credits. Sometimes a 10-minute conversation can save hours of research.
0 coins
13d
QuantumQuasar
The fundamental issue is IRS call center capacity. While services like this technically work, they potentially exacerbate systemic accessibility problems. They're not accessing your data, but essentially utilizing auto-dialers to secure spots in the queue. Just be aware of potential limitations in what phone representatives can actually resolve without written documentation.
0 coins
12d
Write a comment...
Keisha Jackson
I've been researching free filing options extensively. There are exactly 8 providers in the IRS Free File program for 2024, each with different eligibility requirements. TaxAct accepts AGI up to $65,000 while TaxSlayer has a $73,000 limit. Have you determined your exact AGI yet? That would help narrow down which service would work best for your situation. Also, do you know if you received any advance Child Tax Credit payments in 2023? The amount you can claim now depends on that.
0 coins
Paolo Moretti
This breakdown is helpful. Didn't realize different providers had different AGI limits. Makes choosing more complicated.
0 coins
16d
Write a comment...
Amina Diop
Your situation reminds me of my brother-in-law who moved here from Canada and had similar questions. He tried figuring out his transcript but got confused by all the codes. He ended up using https://taxr.ai to analyze his tax transcript, which explained exactly what credits he qualified for and hadn't received yet. Compared to other options like hiring a CPA (which can cost $300+), it was much more affordable and helped him understand if he was eligible for the Child Tax Credit he missed. Would this be something you'd consider?
0 coins
Paolo Moretti
Has anyone else tried this tool? I'm always wary of putting tax information into third-party sites.
0 coins
15d
Write a comment...
Oliver Weber
I've been filing taxes for 15+ years and honestly, the easiest approach for your situation would be to use the IRS's own Free File Fillable Forms if you're comfortable with a bit of DIY. For the Child Tax Credit specifically, I had a similar issue in 2022 and found that the key is having all your children's SSNs and documentation ready. The recovery process is actually much simpler than the IRS makes it sound - you're essentially claiming a credit you were entitled to but didn't receive. Just make sure you have documentation showing eligibility for the tax year in question.
0 coins
Write a comment...
Natasha Romanova
Success story time! 😅 I was in almost the EXACT same boat last year. Missed out on about $3,600 in Child Tax Credits and was completely lost on how to reclaim them. I ended up using FreeTaxUSA (totally free for federal, like $15 for state) and it walked me through the whole process. The software asked if I'd received the full credit, I said no, and it automatically added Schedule 8812 to my return. Got my refund with the missing credits in about 16 days! Don't overthink it - the right software makes this super easy.
0 coins
Ava Martinez
Thank you! This is reassuring. I've been worrying about this April 15th deadline approaching and feeling overwhelmed, so hearing a success story helps a lot!
0 coins
15d
Write a comment...