Why doesnt my 17 year old qualify for child tax credit

[xmasbaby0]

If your child turned 17 in 2016, even on the last day of 2016, you do not get the child tax credit.  There are no exceptions to the rule.  You can still claim your child as a dependent.

[Hal_Al]

This comes as a big surprise to many parents the year their child turns 17. A child over age 16 no longer qualifies for the Child Tax credit (CTC). Although a child can still be a student dependent through age 23, and a qualifying child for EIC,  the Child Tax Credit expires the year they turn 17 and you no longer get the $1000 CTC.