I keep reading about "child tax credits" to help parents with the costs incurred in raising children. How about "elderly tax credits" for the costs incurred for caring for an elderly parent or partner. Of course, it would be asking TOOO much to extend that to caregivers in general, especially those caring for an elderly person either distantly related or a close friend, since it seems the government only recognizes those who are are married vs single. But that's a topic for another day.
The thing about the child tax credits is that the parents getting them aren't actually providing for and supporting their kids. Someone else is.
Parents who work and provide for their kids without state assistance, claim their kids as dependents because they are actual dependents.
When some parent has a part-time job but their rent, utilities, food, medical insurance, and childcare are paid for by the state they should not be entitled to collect because they don't actually pay taxes.
But that's a different discussion entirely.
There should be family caregiver tax credits.