Couples that are married filing separately receive a reduced credit that is equal to half of the typical credit amount. Currently, parents can receive up to $3,600 for every child under 6 and $3,000 for kids between 6 and 17. Married couples filing separately are only eligible for  $1,800 and $1,500, respectively. This is because when married filing separately, only one parent can claim the child tax credit, not both.

Why Can’t Both Parents Claim the Increased Child Tax Credit?

The law states that only one parent can get the credit for a shared dependent. The parent who claimed the child on their 2020 tax return will bethe one receiving the advance payments this year, as the credit given in 2021 is based on 2020 returns. 

If both parents claim the child tax credit, the IRS will only allow the claim for the parent that the child lived with the most during the year. While married couples who file jointly can claim dependents as a single entity, those filing separately must choose which parent will claim the dependent.