My son was 16 for 10 1/2 months. why can't i claim him?

[AnthonyC · Accepted solution]

You can still claim him as a dependent on your return (assuming you meet all the qualifications).  However, for the Child Tax Credit the rules are different then the general rules for a dependent.  If your child turned 17 at any time during 2016, then you will not receive the child tax credit - even if it is only for one day of the year.

https://www.irs.gov/uac/ten-facts-about-the-child-tax-credit