Is anybody else as upset about this as I am-

[AirForceRocks]

Well, they chose to have kids, so presumably they weighed the cost and decided that it was worth it to have X amount of offspring.

Absolutely, which is why it wouldn't be a big deal to me if the tax code were changed to eliminate child credits. At the same time, your argument loses some credibility with me when you resort to terms like "breeder" to describe the people that are providing the the tax base for your future government benefits.

 

[Steve H.]

Originally posted by hmp2z
Well, they chose to have kids, so presumably they weighed the cost and decided that it was worth it to have X amount of offspring. But how great, that we can find a small way to reward them for it! GOOOOO USA!

I weighed a lot of factors and guess what? Tax benefits were never one of them. I'm guessing, but I think that's probably the case with 99% of the rest of the "breeders" in the country.

 

[FleurdeLise]

hmp2z have you met goofygirl?

As to the OP-if you didn't pay any taxes in the first place you surely are not "owed" a refund. Duh!

 

[hmp2z]

If you look back, I never said "breeder" - that was Miss Jasmine. I used the word "breed" which, if you look it up, means "to produce offspring by hatching or gestation." And isn't that what people are doing, who birth children? Reproducing? Breeding? Re-populating the world? Being fruitful and multiplying? Call it whatever you want - it's a biological function, no different for humans than it is for countless other mammals. But please - look back at the posts and get your facts straight before writing to me- Miss Jasmine said "breeder" - I never did. And I think you have strayed far from the OP's question...
Cheers!
Heather W

 

[SnowAngel]

I also agree.. You should not get paid a "refund" if you did not get one. I'm not sure though about the rich getting richer. Why because they are getting money they paid back? I wouldn't mind if the rich just gave me money though I could use some

I won't comment on the breeding issue

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Woah sorry I made the WIDE leap from Breed to Breeder. My apologies.

 

[hmp2z]

Originally posted by Miss Jasmine
Woah sorry I made the WIDE leap from Breed to Breeder. My apologies.

Apology accepted - for some reason, I was getting slammed for your word choice. Go figure...
I have been nothing but supportive of this $400 tax credit; I keep saying, and will say again, the US is dangerously underpopulated! Keep multiplying! Remain fruitful! Thank goodness our government is keeping an eye on this danger, and doing what they can to avert the crisis!!!
Cheers!
Heather W

 

[disneychrista]

Re: rich getting richer - it is my understand (and yes I may not correct) the "rich" do not benefit from the child tax credit because after a certain amount of income they will loose the abilty to take this credit. Am I wrong on this?

Re: "Being paid to Breed" - I am not sure of anyone who will look at the CTC or EIC and say, hey, I better have another baby, I could use that $1000 credit. It cost considerablly more then $1000 a year to raise a child. For this to make sense it would have to benefit that out wieghs the detriment.

 

[Steve H.]

Originally posted by disneychrista
Re: rich getting richer - it is my understand (and yes I may not correct) the "rich" do not benefit from the child tax credit because after a certain amount of income they will loose the abilty to take this credit. Am I wrong on this?

No, you're right about that. Above $130,000 AGI, and the credit goes away (it starts getting phased out above $110,000).

 

[SilverLily]

I am not sure of anyone who will look at the CTC or EIC and say, hey, I better have another baby, I could use that $1000 credit. It cost considerablly more then $1000 a year to raise a child. For this to make sense it would have to benefit that out wieghs the detriment.

Exactly! Most people realize that a measly $400 is not much help when it comes to expenses with children. Yet, they decide to have children anyway. So obviously they aren't doing it for the money. So how can anyone claim that a tax credit is something our government is doing to encourage reproduction?

*Disclaimer* I'm sure there are some people who are FITH and think having children just for the tax break is a good thing, but these people are in the minority.

 

[DonnaS]

Originally posted by SilverLily


*Disclaimer* I'm sure there are some people who are FITH and think having children just for the tax break is a good thing, but these people are in the minority.

What does FITH stand for?

Nevermind...

I figured it out... it is Foolish in the Head... right?

 

[SilverLily]

Originally posted by DonnaS
What does FITH stand for?

Nevermind...

I figured it out... it is Foolish in the Head... right?

No, crazy! It means Fried in the Head!

 

[DonnaS]

Oh!

 

[Mskanga]

FYI, so does this country. It's called welfare. My ex-SIL is making a killing!

Yeah , I know a couple of those too, and they are getting away with it.

Well, they chose to have kids, so presumably they weighed the cost and decided that it was worth it to have X amount of offspring. But how great, that we can find a small way to reward them for it!

This is not a reward, we are talking about taxes that we paid and are getting some back.

I am not sure of anyone who will look at the CTC or EIC and say, hey, I better have another baby, I could use that $1000 credit. It cost considerablly more then $1000 a year to raise a child.

Taxes were not in my mind when I had children, heck , we didn't even have the child credit when I had my youngest. I wish raising my children would cost me $1000 a year .

 

[hmp2z]

I think you are all missing the point here, which is that child-free taxpayers have to pay the same amount in taxes that child-full taxpayers pay, but at the end of the year, we don't get that $400/child refund. In effect, we are being penalized for our decision not to reproduce. I don't see that a child entitles you to pay less in taxes; if you have a child, this is a decision that you made, knowing how much a child costs. So why the entitlement to $ back? It's not like getting a perfect score on the SAT's or graduating magna cum laude; anyone without a reproductive system defect can reproduce. So why the tax break for doing something that's just a biological function? I would love to get $ back for some of my biological functions...
Just something to think about. I know you are all pro-child - it seems like so many people on this group identify themselves as "momof4twins", "brittanysdad", etc. so obviously your children are extremely important to you. Just strikes me that something as easy to do, and requiring no talent, as birthing a child would entitle you to more $ back at the end of the year.
Don't use that age old argument that kids cost more money, so you deserve to pay less in taxes; they are a luxury that you decided to have. I choose to spend my money on things other than kids, and spend my days mopping up the messes that many parents (who are clear examples of the phrase "it takes no intelligence to reproduce") make of their children. I teach in an inner city school, so am not going to buy this "poor parents who DESERVE a tax break" argument.
Just curious - what makes you all (and obviously our esteemed president) feel that you deserve a tax break for doing something that even the cat who lives in the bushes behind my apartment complex can do?
Cheers!
Heather W

 

[FleurdeLise]

Originally posted by hmp2z

I have been nothing but supportive of this $400 tax credit; I keep saying, and will say again, the US is dangerously underpopulated! Keep multiplying! Remain fruitful! Thank goodness our government is keeping an eye on this danger, and doing what they can to avert the crisis!!!
Cheers!
Heather W

Your post starts out being serious,that reverts to VERY heavy sarcasm. Watch out,my dear, sarcasm is one of the big "no-no's" of the CB.

 

[caitycaity]

heather, fwiw, i agree.

(and i'm a disney bride too!)

 

[Steve H.]

Originally posted by hmp2z
And I think you have strayed far from the OP's question...
Cheers!
Heather W

I'd answer your last question, but I'm afraid I'd be straying from the original topic on this thread.

 

[FleurdeLise]

Originally posted by hmp2z
I think you are all missing the point here, which is that child-free taxpayers have to pay the same amount in taxes that child-full taxpayers pay, but at the end of the year, we don't get that $400/child refund. In effect, we are being penalized for our decision not to reproduce.
**********
Really?
Well I have 2 kids in college(which costs a whole lot more than a grammar school aged kid,believe me) who are too old (refund ends at age 17)for ME to collect MY $800 and I' m sure not complaining. Just the way te cookie crumbles.

 

[Mermaid02]

"I know you are all pro-child"

If that means that I think everyone should have children, no I don't. Some people do not have the patience, the temperment, or the loving generous nature it takes to put the needs of a totally helpless individual above their own. Some people don't have children, but they still are "pro-child" meaning they care about children- others must be "anti-child" I guess.