Penalizing families that don't have children.

[eakers]

I think that the fact that this society (america, canada) penalizes families that don't have children is wrong. Not only do families that have children recieve tax breaks but often people who don't have kids are asked to work on holidays because they simply dont have children. It is acceptable for a person to miss work because their child is sick but not so acceptable for a person to miss work because there parent is sick. These are just few of the many examples that there are.
I understand that children are a big responsibility but there are other kinds of dependants (elderly, disabled) that are not recognized as so.
Perhaps it's because I'm young (19) and don't plan on having children that this bothers me.

to be quite honest i just saw a show on this on tv and i am bothered by this. just wanted to know what others think/feel

 

[piku]

Families with children get tax breaks because they have to pay for the kids, along with their normal expenses.

Wait until you have to actually pay for your kids clothes and food and medical expenses etc ON TOP of your normal expenses with the same paycheck and lets see if you are still complaining that your getting a tax break.

 

[shiznut123]

having a kid costs more than tax. trust me

 

[piku]

Well obviously, but still, they do it to help reduce the load.

 

[eakers]

but there are other kinds of families with disabled or parents that dont get tax breaks.
and besides if you CHOOSE to have children then you support them why should i pay more taxes because i CHOOSE or am unable to have kids?

 

[eakers]

other kinds of families need to be recognized

 

[pidge]

I have no problem with tax breaks and so forth for families with kids. I just can't stand it when families who are barely making it on their own keep having kids and expect the tax payer to pay for their medical expenses, provide them with money etc. Its not the kids fault since they don't have a choice. But the parents should make a choice, especially if they already have a kid, not to have anymore. :|

 

[ltk007]

Parents with children need tax breaks, because they need money. Its not easy to raise a couple kids on a low salary, and these parents shouldn't have money taxed that goes for clothes, foods, and other necissities that you need to buy for kids. Maybe you have rich parents or something, but I know that my parents struggle to get along, and any little bit could help. A kid in college (who isn't even a tax break anymore) and one at home isn't cheap.

I can't believe what you just said about people missing work because thier child is sick. Should [arents be expected to leave a sick 8 year old at home while they go out and work? Everyone gets a certain amount of sick days, whether you spend them on your child or yourself is irrelevant. How would you feel being by yourself in a house vomitting, forced to clean up after yourself and get what you need instead staying in bed for rest?

People who don't have kids are often asked to work on holidays because they have no one to be with and nothing better to do. Maybe you want to sit at home on your ass all day just cause its a holiday, but some people have important things to do like spend time with loved ones.

 

[StageLeft]

eakers

I'm not sure on the issue but I do find it interesting that you say you'll never have kids. I think I was there too...but when you're a tad older (sorry to sound condescending!) you may feel different. Some people don't, but many do. Kids are cool and I look forward to having some (and yes I didn't like kids until recently).

 

[Ornery]

eakers is right. You choose to have kids. You ought to think long and hard about taking on that much financial burden and responsibility. I also think you ought to raise them yourself on your own dime. Not your in-laws, not your parents, not your sister, but YOU. No tax deductions for child care either. If you can't afford them, don't have them!

Oh, you might want to add that getting a tax write off for real estate is bogus too. The only really fair tax is a flat tax. No deductions... NONE!

 

[eakers]

i know i will when im older because i will need a vessel for my genes, its human nature

also my parents are not rich, infact far from it.

you are not really paying attention to my point: sometimes ppl have to support ppl who ARE NOT children but are part of their family which is probley just as, if not more expensive than kids. there are not the same type of support services for these families. (ie office daycare)

 

[unxpurg8d]

I have five kids, and totally agree with Ornery (NOT that I won't enjoy the tax cut ) - there should be a flat tax. If you can't afford your kids, either put 'em to work also, or don't have 'em.

EDIT: Geeeeeeeez I'm sorry I wandered off topic, I agree on the subject of equity for people taking care of parents or other family members rather than children.

 

[xtreme2k]

In my opinion, if you cannot afford to have children, then dont have them.

Simple as that.

 

[jAcKeL]

i'm just glad that's not the way my parents were thinking, hell i wouldn't be here if it was

 

[UG]

People with children get tax breaks BECAUSE the people that make the tax laws, elected Congressmen, want the votes of people who have kids. Parents are the majority block of voters.

The Democrats were the majority in Congress for decades, and they stayed in the majority by buying the votes of people who would p[redictably vote their needy pocket books instead of their rocket scientist, abhorant grasp of political manipulation.

Tax breaks for having children has absolutely nothing to do with the cost of child rearing.

You can't raise a child only on what you make from such tax credits, but you can feel much better about the people who, supposedly in your name, take from the wealth builders to give to debt builders in trade for their vote.

 

[Wedesdo]

those dirty congressman... promoting the increase of population...

that's part of the reason why many hispanic have 8 or 10 children, and are draining our welfare/education money. :|

 

[lsd]

Are you not allowed to claim an elder parent(s) or disabled parent on the 1040?
I think families should recieve tax breaks. Why? because they are bring up someone who will eventually pay taxes aswell .

 

[UG]

wedesdo,

Hispanics have many children because of cultural reasons other than tax breaks.

If they, or any other cultural component of our society, is benefitting from undue tax consideration it is because the authors of the tax code are well aware how to author such code for their own maximum benefit.

The problem is not the people who obviously benefit monetarily via tax credits. The problem is elected officals who benefit from the collective of less-than-discerning individuals who otherwise could change the way votes are habitually purchased. The collective of individuals who're so financially needy that their critical thinking skills are easily short-circuited by being directed to concentrate on their short-term benefit rather than on their long-term benefit.

Raising kids is a long-term concern of parents. Why opt for the short-term solution made so attractive by those who pass out the occassional, tasty offerings?

 

[Shazam]

Do you think it's unfair that I'm in the top 5 percentile of wage earners in Canada?

Why then, do you think it's unfair that couples with children get tax breaks? Both Canada and the US live under moderately socialist governments.

Life is unfair. Live with it.

My personal stance on tax breaks? I'm sure some of you would like the child tax break to be repealed because it would make you feel better. It's never going to happen. What's to stop people then from getting rid of the 50% taxable on capital gains? Would you like that to be repealed as well?

 

[MISTER 2 U]

There are breaks for disabled and older people but it is provided by the state.
I have two kids but i did not have kids for the tax cut and its really not that much of a break
when you add up how much it cost to raise a kid.

Extrem2k,

"In my opinion, if you cannot afford to have children, then dont have them."

If you are going to have a kid and you add up the cost on paper you will never be able to afford to have a kid.
Once you have a kid you find ways to get the money to raise them like not going out to movies or fancy resturants.

 

[yakko]

<< Do you think it's unfair that I'm in the top 5 percentile of wage earners in Canada? >>


No.


<< What's to stop people then from getting rid of the 50% taxable on capital gains? Would you like that to be repealed as well? >>


Yes.

One flat tax no exemptions. A national sales tax on everything sold with NO EXEMPTIONS would give our government more more than they could get now and it is fair.

 

[jAcKeL]

as fair as that is... i find it hard to see a kid born poor to pay the same amount as one born to an enormously wealthy family...

 

[IBhacknU]

death and taxes... that's all I care to say right now

 

[Scrapster]

In my opinion, you shouldn't have kids unless you can pay for their college.

<edit> Though that would go against my parents brilliant thinking. </edit>

Scrapster

 

[xtreme2k]

I personally think it is parents responsibility to think about and see what they can afford before they make the decision of having a child. If their living standards will be degraded seriously having a child, they decide whether they want to live in that 'lower-ed' standard. If they find that acceptable, then have the child.

Overall, I say this slight drop on living standard is actually worth it. It is simply WRONG to depend on the government to help you to have children. Afterall it is your choice. You KNEW how it much it cost to raise children. This is very possible to estimate and should be estimated.