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Letter 6419: what it means and what to do
Got an IRS Letter 6419? Here is what it means, your deadline, what to check before you answer, and how to reply. Check your own letter free: it stays on your phone.
Check my Letter 6419 freeWhat the IRS says this notice is about
Letter 6419 includes:
- Total amount of 2021 advance Child Tax Credit (CTC) payments
- Number of qualifying children used to calculate advance payments, and repayment protection when filing your 2021 federal tax return See Topic H in the FAQs for advance Child Tax Credit payments information
To help taxpayers reconcile and receive 2021 CTC, the IRS is sending letter 6419, Advance Child Tax Credit Reconciliation from late December 2021 through January 2022. Taxpayers should keep this, and any other IRS letters about advance CTC payments, with their tax records.
Families who received advance payments must:
- File a 2021 tax return
- Compare the advance payments received in 2021 with the CTC amount they can claim for 2021
This letter contains helpful information for preparing tax returns. Taxpayers who received advance payments can also check amounts using the CTC update portal and Online Account on IRS.gov.
Eligible families who didn't receive advance child tax credit payments can claim the full amount of the child tax credit on their 2021 federal tax return. This includes families who don't normally need to file a tax return.
2021 tax information
The IRS is streamlining where we store information you need to file your 2021 tax return.
We're including an Online Account payment summary for the:
- Third Economic Impact payment
- Advance Child Tax Credit summary payment
IRS is adding a direct link in the Online Account for customers who use the Child Tax Credit update portal to review payment information. This allows you to access your information in Online Account without entering your username and password again. We'll update Online Account with the third Economic Impact Payment and 2021 Advance Child Tax Credit by the end of January - in time for the 2021 tax return filing season.
How to learn more
For more information see Advance Child Tax Credit payments in 2021 .
Your deadline
Answer by the date printed on your notice. If there is no date, answer as soon as you can, and call the number on the notice if you need more time.
What to check before you answer
Is this letter really from the IRS?
The IRS writes first by mail. A real letter shows a notice or letter number, your name and part of your tax ID number. The IRS does not ask for payment by gift card, crypto or wire transfer. If in doubt, sign in to your IRS online account, where many notices are listed.
Get my response letter for Letter 6419