to the editor: I read the article about parents not getting a tax break for helping pay off their kids' student loans and honestly, it seems unfair to me (“Is there a tax break for paying off a child's student loans?” April 12). Many families are already struggling with how expensive college is, so when parents try to help, they should at least get some support.
As the article describes, right now the only option is to use the gift tax rule, but that doesn't really help much. It simply avoids additional taxes instead of providing families with a real benefit. Student debt doesn't just affect one person: it affects the entire family.
If nothing changes, more families will continue to face financial stress just to pay for education. College is supposed to help people succeed, not put them into long-term debt.
The government should create a true tax break for families who help with student loans so they can get some relief.
Gerardo Reyes, San Jose
