How to Clear an Error on your Child Credit Tax Cut
The Child Tax Credit is designed to lower the tax liability of taxpayers who have one or more qualifying child. A qualifying child is a taxpayer's son, daughter, stepdaughter, stepson, brother, sister or other dependant minor, according to IRS Publication 972. Taxpayers who are eligible to claim the credit do so via their Form 1040 and, if eligible, may receive up to a $1,000 tax credit. There are various errors that could prevent an eligible taxpayer from receiving the tax cut, but there are strategies for correcting those errors.
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Instructions
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Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 between the hours of 7am and 10pm to determine which errors were found on your return. You will probably have received a letter from the IRS indicating that there was an error with your Child Tax Credit, but the letter probably won't go into detail as to the what error has been made. With many returns, the cause of the error is an incorrect Social Security number listed for the qualifying child. An incorrect name for the qualifying child is another possible error. If the child is listed on a previous return, or at the Social Security Office, with two names and a middle initial but the taxpayer lists only the first and last name on the tax return, this could trigger an IRS name mismatch. In addition, if a child's date of birth is missing or illegible, this could trigger an error because only children under the age of 17 are eligible for the Child Tax Credit. You will probably be able to correct the problem over the phone with the IRS representative; if not, you may need to visit your local IRS office.
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Go to an IRS walk-in office and provide them with documentation confirming your child's name and date of birth. The representatives at the local office can make copies of the verification provided and fax it to the IRS office where your return is being processed.
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Complete IRS Form 1040X and mail it to your local IRS processing center. You will only need to complete Form 1040X if the IRS Customer Service Representative advises you that the Child Tax Credit error found on your return cannot be corrected over the phone. You can also choose to send in Form 1040X in lieu of speaking to an IRS Representative if you prefer to communicate with the IRS in writing instead of over the phone.
The form contains three columns--column A, B, and C. In column A, list the original Child Tax Credit as listed on your return, in column B, list the change, and in column C, list the correct amount. Also, in the explanations area provide a narrative as to the reason for the change.
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