When the tax season kicked off this year, the IRS sent out a helpful piece of information to those who received the Additional Child Tax Credit. This is the IRS Letter 6419. It’s designed to help you report your Child Tax Credit for the current tax year, something you’re more likely to need if you have a lot of dependents. Not everyone seems to be familiar with this IRS Letter 6419, however. For this reason, many taxpayers are surprised to find out they can’t claim the Child Tax Credit on their tax returns. They might even have to go through the trouble of filing an amended return.
In this guide, we’ll tell you all you need to know about IRS Letter 6419 and answer some of the most common questions taxpayers have about this important document.
What is a Letter 6419?
Basically, a Letter 6419 is an informational notice that the IRS sends taxpayers. It explains what is known as the Additional Child Tax Credit. It’s a means-tested credit that can help you lower your tax bill. If you qualify for the credit, you could get between $1,000 and $1,400. This amount is applicable per dependent, and it is refundable – meaning you get the money even if you don’t pay any income tax for the year.
You probably received this IRS Letter 6419 if you reported an income tax liability of $3,000 or more. If so, the IRS sends you a Letter 6419. It informs you of the amount of additional Child Tax Credit you can claim.
Letter 6419 is pretty straightforward and shouldn’t be confusing. You’ll get an estimate of your Child Tax Credit and discover how much you can get back through the Additional Child Tax Credit.
Who Should Use the Letter 6419?
You should look at IRS Letter 6419 if you have more than one dependent and you’re eligible for the Additional Child Tax Credit. This is a credit to help you offset the cost of raising your children. If you meet the eligibility requirements, which we will go over in a moment, it can bring down your tax liability.
If you file a joint tax return with your spouse, the IRS will send both of you a copy of IRS Letter 6419. One document is good enough to cover both spouses. In fact, you don’t need to request additional copies of IRS Letter 6419. It’s sent to you automatically.
What Happens if You Didn’t Get Letter 6419 or Lost It?
If you don’t get the IRS Letter , you can contact the IRS and request a copy. You should make this request as soon as possible to ensure you file your return on time. If you already filed your taxes, however, you can file an amended return instead. You can also use the CTC Update Portal of the IRS to check your records.
Conclusion
The IRS Letter 6419 is a concise and straightforward document. It explains the Additional Child Tax Credit to you so you can get your money back. If you qualified for the tax credit and got this IRS Letter , you should go ahead and calculate your refund or tax liability.
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