Shared Custody and Advance Child Tax Credit Payments

Parents who share custody of their children may be confused about how the advance child tax credit payments are distributed. As such, the first step is to remember that these are advance payments of a tax credit that taxpayers expect to claim on their 2021 tax return. Understanding how the payments work will allow parents to unenroll, if they choose, and possibly avoid a possible tax bill when they file next year.

Let's take a look at four of the most common questions about shared custody and the advance child tax credit payments:

1. How will the IRS decide which one receives the advance child tax credit payments if two parents share custody?

Who receives 2021 advance child tax credit payments is based on the information on the taxpayer's 2020 tax return or their 2019 return if their 2020 tax return has not been processed. The parent who claimed the child tax credit on their 2020 return will receive the 2021 advance child tax credit payments.

2. If a parent is receiving 2021 advance child tax credit payments and they shouldn't be, what should they do?

Parents who will not be eligible to claim the child tax credit when filing their 2021 tax return should go to IRS.gov and unenroll to stop receiving monthly payments. They can do this by using the Child Tax Credit Update Portal. Receiving monthly payments now could mean they have to return those payments when they file their tax return next year. If their custody situation changes and they are entitled to the child tax credit for 2021, they can claim the full amount when they file their tax return next year.

3. How will 2021 advance child tax credit payments be handled for parents who claim their child in alternate years on their tax return?

If the taxpayer claimed their child on their 2020 tax return, the IRS will automatically issue the advance payments to them. When they file their 2021 tax return, they may have to pay back the payments over the amount of the credit they're entitled to claim. Some taxpayers may qualify for repayment protection and be excused from repaying some or all of the excess amount. Also, if a taxpayer won't be claiming the child tax credit on their 2021 return, they should unenroll from receiving monthly payments using the Child Tax Credit Update Portal.

4. If one parent receives the advance child tax credit payments even though the other parent will be claiming the child tax credit on their 2021 tax return, will the parent claiming the qualifying child still be able to claim the full credit amount?

Yes. Taxpayers will be able to claim the full amount of the child tax credit on their 2021 tax return even if the other parent is receiving the advance child tax credit payments. The parent receiving the payments should unenroll, but their decision will not affect the other parent's ability to claim the child tax credit.

If you share custody with another parent and need further clarification about this important tax issue, don't hesitate to call.