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Notice code 251 (Default) — We didn’t allow part or all of your child tax credit and/or additional child tax credit on page 2 of…
We didn’t allow part or all of your child tax credit and/or additional child tax credit on page 2 of your tax return. One or more of your children exceeds the age limitation.
What to do next
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251
Read the notice carefully and note any deadline. Gather returns, notices, and payment records. Book a free strategy session before responding if the amount is large, unclear, or collection language appears.
What the IRS language says
We didn’t allow part or all of your child tax credit and/or additional child tax credit on page 2 of your tax return. One or more of your children exceeds the age limitation.
What it usually means
251 is in our IR Manual catalog. Official wording is dense — we translate it for business owners and individuals and map realistic next steps.
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