I adopted a child in 2021. Due to various uncontrollable bureaucratic circumstances, I was unable to get a new SSN for him until May 2022, so I filed for an extension in order to claim him as a dependent on my return. I filed in May but when I received my refund, the amount was $4,472 less than TurboTax had calculated. Based on the vague explanation I got from the IRS that did list a SSN issue as one of the possible reasons, I was able to determine they removed the entire Child Tax Credit and reduced the Recovery Rebate Credit by removing him as a dependent.

From everything I’ve read, they should have taken the extension into account [social security number that was issued on or before the due date of your 2021 return (including extension)] but it looks like they did not.

I will first try to convince them to accept his SSN issued in May 2022, but if that doesn’t work, could I file an amended return with his birth name and original SSN? And would that cause problems when I use his current name and new SSN when I file 2022 taxes in 2023?

Note: On the advice from our lawyer, we got a new SSN and did not link it to the original one since the birth parents may have it.

Thanks in advance!