Isn't the enhanced portion only $1000 for kids over 6?
This is actually a bigger question.
Was the CTC changed entirely with different amounts, phaseouts, and advance payments? Or was it only changed for filers earning below the threshold?
CTC Changed for all:
CTC is fully refundable for all that are eligible, even if they're not eligible for the full $3k/$2k. This means that a real overpayment isn't possible for filers earning under $400k (unless you're getting payments for children over 17) since the advance portion always equals less than $2k. This fits with what we're seeing, that earners above $180k are receiving some advance payments.
CTC Changed for threshold filers only:
If this is the case, then the increase is $1k/$1.6k (from $2k to $3k/$3.6k) plus these income brackets qualify for advance payments of $1.5/$1.8k. In this scenario there should be no advance payments for those with income above $170k since at that point they cease to qualify for the enhanced/refundable CTC.
I would say it's the first, since we're seeing those with income above $170k receiving advance payments. Still not sure why news sites would tout a total phaseout for earners above $170k though.