Why is the Child Tax Credit of 1,000 only for kids under 17, if they haven't even graduated school yet?

Question

just curious

I know it's the law..I am just wondering the logic behind it..????

Answer 1

Because that's the law, as passed by Congress.

Don't look for logic in anything that Congress does, though it's entirely possible that it was a compromise to get the bill through in the first place. Better that than nothing at all is the usual logic.

Answer 2

You want logic in the tax code? Not a chance. You have 535 members of Congress, a President and administration, 50 Governors and an army of lobbyists all working on behalf of someone. A few even do their best to work on behalf of working folk.

I tend to agree that it was a compromise measure. Maybe doing it to age 18 was too much money so some civil servant at the Treasury Department probably produced figures that showed what it would cost for under 17's and that was acceptable. Is it right? No. Is it reality? Yes. Does it have to be this way for ever? No. If it gets changed to under 19 will we be taxed in other ways to make up for it? Hell yes!

Answer 3

That is just the way Congress wrote the tax law, true there is no logic to it. I beleive that it may be because by the time a child is 16/17 they are not "a child" as they are able to get part time jobs.
JMO

Answer 4

because the government is out of touch with its constituents who they are suppose to be representing; once they get in , it is what they want and think right; not serving the interests of the voters, the citizens. Now , when you have to apply for aid for college, they include the income of both parents for the child up to age 24; excuse me but I thought that they are legal adults at the age of 18; they sure don't ask for parents' permission when sending them off to war; bottom line , just another inequity in the system; you get more breaks if you are rich, famous or here illegally.