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Home > Notices > Advance Child Tax Credit Payment (AdvCTC) Letters
Published:   |   Last Updated: August 9, 2023

Advance Child Tax Credit Payment (AdvCTC) Letters

Letter 6416 and 6416-A
Letter 6417
Letter 6419, Advance Child Tax Credit Reconciliation

Taxpayer Roadmap with folded image in front

Letter Overview

Letters 6416 and 6416-A (both named Advance Child Tax Credit Outreach letter) were mailed by the IRS in June 2021. These letters estimate Child Tax Credit (CTC) amounts for tax year 2021 and tell you that you may be eligible to receive AdvCTC payments.  The letters also provide information about opting out of automatic payments.

Letter 6417 highlights key changes to the 2021 CTC that affect families with dependents under the age of 18 and provides an estimate of your monthly AdvCTC payments.  This letter is on White House letterhead and is signed by President Joseph R. Biden Jr.

Letter 6419 is sent to help you reconcile and report your 2021 CTC when you file your 2021 federal tax return; the IRS sent Letter 6419 between late December 2021 and January 2022.  You should keep this, and any other IRS letters about AdvCTC payments, with your tax records.

This notice or letter may include additional topics that have not yet been covered here. Please check back frequently for updates.

What does this letter mean to me?

Letter 6419 shows the total amount of advance Child Tax Credit payments that you received during 2021. You will need this letter when you file your 2021 federal tax return.  If you received AdvCTC payments, you can also check amounts using Online Account on IRS.gov.

How did I get here?

The IRS disbursed AdvCTC payments to you in 2021. Letter 6419 is sent to help you file an accurate 2021 federal tax return.

What are my next steps?

If you received AdvCTC payments, you should file a 2021 federal tax return and reconcile the total amount received in 2021 with the amount you are eligible to claim on your tax return. “Reconciling” the AdvCTC payments means:

  1. Compare the total amount of the AdvCTC payments that you received during 2021 (even if that amount is $0) with
  2. The amount of the CTC you can properly claim on your 2021 federal tax return.

To reconcile these amounts, you will need to do the following:

  • Get the advance payments total and number of qualifying children on your Online Account, or your Letter 6419.  If the amount in your Online Account differs from your letter, you should rely on the amount reflected in your Online Account.
  • Enter the information on Schedule 8812 of the Form 1040.

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If you still need help

The Taxpayer Advocate Service is an independent organization within the IRS that helps taxpayers and protects taxpayers’ rights. We can offer you help if your tax problem is causing a financial difficulty, you’ve tried and been unable to resolve your issue with the IRS, or you believe an IRS system, process, or procedure just isn’t working as it should. If you qualify for our assistance, which is always free, we will do everything possible to help you.

Visit www.taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov or call 1-877-777-4778.

Low Income Taxpayer Clinics (LITCs) are independent from the IRS and TAS. LITCs represent individuals whose income is below a certain level and who need to resolve tax problems with the IRS. LITCs can represent taxpayers in audits, appeals, and tax collection disputes before the IRS and in court. In addition, LITCs can provide information about taxpayer rights and responsibilities in different languages for individuals who speak English as a second language. Services are offered for free or a small fee. For more information or to find an LITC near you, see the LITC page on the TAS website or Publication 4134, Low Income Taxpayer Clinic List.

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Additional Resources

If you want someone to contact the IRS about the letter on your behalf, you will need to complete Form 2848, Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative.  You can download this form at www.irs.gov or request a copy by calling 1-800-TAX-FORM (1-800-829-3676). You may be eligible for representation from an attorney, certified public accountant, or enrolled agent associated with a Low Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC). LITCs are independent from the IRS and the Taxpayer Advocate Service. LITCs represent individuals whose income is below a certain level and who need to resolve tax problems with the IRS.  LITCs can represent taxpayers in audits, appeals, and tax collection disputes before the IRS and in court. In addition, LITCs can provide information about taxpayer rights and responsibilities in different languages for individuals who speak English as a second language. Services are offered for free or a small fee. For more information or to find an LITC near you, see the LITC page at www.taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov/litcmap or IRS Publication 4134, Low Income Taxpayer Clinic List. This Publication is also available online at www.irs.gov or by calling the IRS at 1-800-829-3676.