Confirming eligibility for the CTC is part of the "Due Diligence" rigmarole that IRS wants us to believe is a higher standard than the Undue Diligence that they allow for most other entries on a return.  But subtracting out a wrong amount for the ACTC payments already made, they already admit is just a math error.  So I wouldn't lose any sleep over that issue.  I also keep in place  on an office bookshelf, photos of my kids and grandkids as a reminder that being a parent is often hard work and there are greater priorities than trying to remember whether that first check came in July or August, and whether the higher payment for the newborn started in September or October.  In any case, Thanksgiving week is not a time to start anticipating grouchiness.  Let's wait and see how it all works out.