You are a bit confused about claiming your children. You lose the child tax credit in the tax year that they turn 17, but you can still claim them as dependents until the tax year they turn 19 or even until they turn 24 if they are full-time students. You would continue to get the $500 credit for other dependents instead of the child tax credit, and by claiming them as dependents you could also be eligible for education credits if they are in college.
CREDIT FOR OTHER DEPENDENTS
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/4499708-what-is-the-500-credit-for-other-dependents-family-tax-cre...
**Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**
