Adoption Tax Credits
Congress passed the adoption tax credit as part of the George W. Bush tax cuts. The adoption tax credit was extended to December 31, 2011, and then extended again to December 31, 2012. It is due to expire on December 31, 2012, unless it is again extended by Congress. The two leading adoption organizations in the country are lobbying to have it extended, those being the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys (www.adoptionattorneys.org), of which I am past president and have been treasurer for nearly 20 years (I could not possibly be that old -aargh!) and the National Council for Adoption (www.adoptioncouncil.org).
The following link explains the 2012 adoption tax credit:
In recent years, a number of people claiming the adoption tax credit have been audited by the Internal Revenue Service. A family claiming the credit, who is audited, will be required to document the expenses being claimed and, among other things, provide copies of canceled checks. Who even gets canceled checks from their bank anymore? In any case, a family claiming the credit should ask their bank to provide copies of canceled checks used to pay adoption expenses so they have them on hand in case they are audited and the IRS requests them.
Given the complexity of the tax code, families interested in claiming the credit should consult a tax professional. Adoption Attorneys Kirsh & Kirsh, P.C., can give advice about adoption but not tax matters. Use this blog as an overview and rely upon your tax professional to see that you are eligible for the adoption tax credit and have applied for it in an appropriate manner.