Filing NY unemployment taxes without CTC letter - only received payments for one child
I'm filing my taxes for NY unemployment benefits and I can't find the Child Tax Credit letter (Letter 6419) that shows what I received last year. I know exactly what I got from July through December for my one dependent, which was $1,800 total ($300 per month). Will the IRS accept my return if I just enter these amounts without the official letter? Has anyone filed without it? I'm worried about delays with my tax refund if I don't have this documentation.
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Yara Khoury
Yes, you can definitely file without the letter! The IRS has all those CTC payment records in their system already. Just make sure you enter the EXACT amount you received ($1,800). You can also verify what you received by checking your IRS online account if you have one set up at irs.gov. The letter is just for your convenience, not a requirement for filing.
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Connor O'Reilly
•Thank you! That's a relief. I don't have an online IRS account yet but I'll set one up to double check. I've been keeping track of all the payments in my bank statements so I'm pretty confident about the $1,800 total.
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Keisha Taylor
i filed without it last yr just put what u got should be fine they already know what they gave u anyway
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StardustSeeker
•This is true, but be careful! My sister put the wrong amount last year (she was off by $300) and got a letter from the IRS months later asking for verification. Not a full audit but still a headache!
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Paolo Marino
While you technically can file without the letter, I strongly recommend you take an extra step to verify the exact amount you received. The IRS online account is the most accurate source, but you can also call the IRS directly at 1-800-908-9946 to request a transcript that shows your payments. Also, remember that the CTC payments you received were only half of your total eligible credit. The other half comes when you file your return, so make sure you're claiming the full amount you're entitled to for your dependent.
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Connor O'Reilly
•Thanks for the detailed info. I didn't realize the payments were only half the credit! I've been on hold with the IRS for over an hour trying to verify my amount. Is there a better way to get through to someone?
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Amina Bah
I was in the EXACT same situation last month. Tried calling the IRS 8 times and couldn't get through. I finally used Claimyr.com to get past the busy signals and connect with an IRS agent in about 20 minutes. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE that shows how it works. The agent confirmed my CTC payments and I was able to file my taxes the same day. Totally worth it for the peace of mind knowing my numbers were correct.
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Oliver Becker
•Is that service legit?? I've been trying to get through to the IRS for THREE WEEKS and they keep disconnecting me. At this point I'm willing to try anything but never heard of that before.
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Amina Bah
Yes, it's completely legit. It basically holds your place in line and calls you when it's your turn to speak with an agent. I was skeptical too but it saved me so much time. My friend who works as a tax preparer actually recommended it to me.
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Connor O'Reilly
•I'll check it out, thanks! Anything is better than the on-hold music I've been listening to all morning.
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Natasha Petrova
DONT EVEN WORRY ABOUT IT!!! The IRS doesn't care if you got the letter or not. I've been claiming unemployment for 3 YEARS and NEVER once used those stupid letters they send. They just want you to THINK you need them. As long as you report what you actually got you're FINE.
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Yara Khoury
•This isn't entirely accurate. While you can file without the letter, the IRS does match what you report against their records. If there's a discrepancy, it could trigger a review of your return and delay any refund. It's always best to verify your numbers if possible.
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StardustSeeker
Just wanted to add something - make sure you're also reporting your unemployment income correctly on your NY state taxes. The CTC is federal, but NY state has their own requirements for unemployment reporting. I got confused last year and had to file an amended return. Such a headache!
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Connor O'Reilly
•Good point! I actually have my 1099-G from NY unemployment, so I think I'm covered for reporting the unemployment income part. It's just the CTC letter that's missing.
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Keisha Taylor
my tax guy said just go with what u know n if thers a problem theyll let u know eventually lol thats what i did
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Connor O'Reilly
Update: I was finally able to verify my CTC payments! Used that Claimyr service to get through to an IRS agent (only took about 15 minutes) and confirmed I received exactly $1,800 like I thought. Filed my taxes yesterday and already got the acceptance notification from the IRS. Thanks everyone for your help!
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Paolo Marino
•Great to hear! For anyone else in a similar situation, remember you can also access your tax records through the IRS online account system if you prefer not to call. You'll need to create an ID.me account first, which takes about 15-20 minutes to set up.
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