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Level 6
February 15, 2022
Solved

Form 8812 for taxpayer who was MFJ in TY2020, but now files single and received the ACTC

  • February 15, 2022
  • 1 reply
  • 17 views

I'm sure someone probably already posted about this, but the search module is so terrible, I can't find it. And I'm not going to spend any more time looking. 

Facts: 

Client filed MFJ with his wife for TY 2020. They claimed 3 dependents and received the CTC. 

They received 5 payments of $750 each in 2021 for the ACTC (250 x 3 kids)

Client is now divorced and will file separately with only 1 dependent. 

I only know he got the advance payments in that amount because he looked at his bank statements from last year. He probably did get letter 6419 but says now he doesn't have it (suspect wife has it and they don't talk, so that's that). 

My issue now is I have no idea what amount to put for how much he received because the number they got is based on a different filing status and factors in 2 people and now he is by himself. 

I know IRS was sending separate letters to taxpayers that filed jointly last year that received the ACTC. They always seem to be for the same amount, so I assume they are taking total payments for the year and dividing them in half for each spouse? Based on this I would put $1875 since the total they got is $3750 (750 x 5) but I have no idea if this is correct. 

Or would I put the entire $3750? 

And yes, client tried checking on the IRS portal and was unable to retrieve any info after making an account. 

 

This topic has been closed for replies.
Best answer by dkh

Why only 5 payments ?  There should be 6.   Did you look at his IRS account info ?   Hard to believe nothing would be there regarding the ACTC payments.    You report half of the total for your client and half of the total number dependents it was based upon on the F8812.

edited to correct my information on #of dependents - it should be total not half

1 reply

dkh
dkhAnswer
Level 15
February 15, 2022

Why only 5 payments ?  There should be 6.   Did you look at his IRS account info ?   Hard to believe nothing would be there regarding the ACTC payments.    You report half of the total for your client and half of the total number dependents it was based upon on the F8812.

edited to correct my information on #of dependents - it should be total not half

ejdtaxmanAuthor
Level 6
February 15, 2022

I have no idea. He told me 5 and I assume he is correct. 

I have not looked at his IRS account info. I don't have access because I am not him. However, like I said, he wasn't able to pull any info from the website so it was probably pointless. 

Anyway, thanks. I'll do that.