Where's My No-Child Tax Credit?

Where's My No-Child Tax Credit?
by Lisa Woerly

Let's get one thing straight right from the start. I am not a child-hater. Just ask my five-year-old goddaughter if I'm not the best chick on the face of her world. I get into the sandbox with her and make primitive sandcastles that the dog can then leap on and destroy. I take her to the playground clear across the city because it has the best swings and the highest slide. We pretend that we're pro wrestlers and tumble around together on the living room carpet. I always get stuck playing Goldberg so she can be Kevin Nash. Not fair.

I love kids. I have just made the conscious decision not to have any children of my own. The twinge to procreate has never reared its head, and now that I'm approaching my mid-thirties I highly doubt that it ever will.

I am a single woman who's in the process of buying her first house, has never been arrested or even gotten a speeding ticket, buys box after box of Girl Scout cookies each spring, takes care of stray animals, and always does her taxes before the April 15th deadline. In other words, I am a responsible, law-abiding, good-hearted American woman.

I am also an American woman who's beyond vexed that tax payers with children get to take a child tax credit each year. Granted, certain criteria have to be met in order to take advantage of this child tax credit, but the bottom line is that our government allows, supports, and even encourages such a blatant pro-family/anti-childless stance.

I am denied a tax credit because I have no children. A portion of my state income taxes and property taxes go to a school district that I do not use (in my state, property taxes are assessed and collected not just on your home but also on your car, boat, and motorcycle). Why am I being penalized for being childless?

It is a choice to have a child, and it is a choice not to have a child. For reasons that escape me, the American government seems to be hell-bent on financially helping families. If you cannot afford a child, then common sense dictates that maybe you should reconsider having a child. You should not get a "break" and be allowed to get a $500 per child tax credit and also have the ability to write off a portion of your child-rearing expenses such as daycare on your income taxes each year.

A lot of my federal income taxes go to programs that I don't necessarily agree with, but I ultimately have no problem with my money supporting national security, the national parks, road improvements, and the salary of our president. That's just how life works - sometimes our money goes to programs we as individuals don't necessarily agree with or support. But I get benefits I can actually use from these programs: I live in the safest country in the world, I get to visit some of the most beautiful and breathtaking natural sites like the Rocky Mountains, and I've gotten to enjoy one of the most entertaining presidencies in our history. I say that's money well spent.

And yet I am furious that American parents get tax breaks for having children. It's just too bad that having children and paying for their food, shelter, and clothing is such a financial burden on a parent. It strikes me as being a governmental kickback - have a kid or two and we'll give you a tax incentive. Add to America's population and we'll float you a few dollars for your efforts. What's happening here?

By remaining childless by choice, I am subtly being told that I am not worthy of America. I get no financial incentives whatsoever. People who have children invariably give me that sad look that says, "Your life must be so empty without a child to nurture." My life would be considerably richer if I didn't have to fork over my tax dollars to my neighbors' children.

America's childless portion of society has been duped into footing the bill to raise this country's children.

I wonder which faction of American society I can dupe into paying for my pet expenses? Doggie daycare adds up.

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