Question

If my ex-wife and I alternate years claiming our child, and I filed w/ child in 2020, will I receive the 2021 Child Tax Credit advance, then owe that back next year?

Forum|Forum|4 years ago
June 21, 2021
1 reply
0 views

My ex-wife will file with our child as a dependent next year. So, does that mean if I kept the Child Tax Credit advance, I am taking away from her refund? Will she owe more, because of the advance to me? Or will I end up owing it next year, while also receiving $0 Child Tax Credit since I won't file with our child.

TurboTax Deluxe Online

O

Opus 17

Employee

If you don’t claim the child next year, you won’t get the credit on your tax return and will have to repay any advance payments. The IRS is supposed to be creating a web site where you can opt out of the advance payments if you know you won’t be eligible, but it is apparently not ready yet.
https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-payments-in-2021

Meanwhile, your ex would receive the full credit when they file their tax return. They may be able to use the same web site to enroll in the advance payments even though they did not claim the child in 2020. Again, check the IRS web site for more news.