Adopting E-Magazine, February 2012

Photolisting: Is raising foster and adoption awareness one of your New Year's resolutions this year? If you have your own blog or website, perhaps you would like to add our Photo Listing Widget to help raise awareness of foster children nationwide.

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Blogging: Have you thought about starting a blog to share your adoption journey with friends, family or others in the adoption community? We're always looking for volunteer or guest bloggers with an authoritative voice on adoption topics, such as international adoption, foster care, unplanned pregnancy, search and reunion etc. for AdoptionBlogs.com. This may be the perfect time to voice your adoption experiences and share with our community!

The Adoption Tax Credit

Tax time is around the corner and that means you're preparing, or should be preparing, your receipts and financial records for the deadline in April, assuming you haven't filed for an extension, of course. Tax season is either a very stressful time of year for you or you look forward to it because of the anticipated tax return. Either way, it's important to know of all the available tax credits so you can maximize your refund. If you began or finalized an adoption in 2011, you may be eligible for the adoption tax credit. And because tax stuff can be confusing and intimidating, here are some facts you'll need to know about the adoption tax credit:

• If you were given adoption assistance, whether through a program or your workplace, you can claim both the credit and the exclusion. However, you can't claim both for the same expenses.
• If your adoption was finalized in 2011 and you have expenses from previous years, you may be eligible for the credit for previous years, too.
• Generally accepted adoption expenses include attorney fees, adoption fees, traveling expenses, and court fees.
• There are several factors when determining if your child makes you eligible for the adoption tax credit; the child must be under the age of eighteen or be incapable mentally of caring for him or herself and the adoptee must be a citizen of the United States or a resident, if the adoption has yet to be finalized, to name a few.
• If you have or are in the process of adopting a child with special needs, you may be eligible for an additional credit amount.
• The IRS determines if you're eligible for an additional amount for your child who has special needs by three main factors: 1) The child is a citizen or resident of the United States. 2) Your state has determined that the child would most likely not be adopted unless assistance is available. 3) Your state has deemed it inappropriate or impossible to return the child to his/her biological parents' home.
• The dollar limit for the adoption credit is $13,360 per adopted child.
• There is also an income limit when it comes to the credit eligibility. Your modified adjusted gross income must be below $185,210 for 2011. If it is over that amount, the available credit amount is reduced. However, your MAGI can not be above $225,210 in order to be eligible.
• The IRS recommends filing jointly if you're married and you are applying for the adoption tax credit. While you can file married filing separately, there are additional hoops to jump through, as there are additional requirements.
• In order to apply for the exclusion or the credit, you'll need to fill out form 8839.
• You must also include the proper documentation about your adoption, including whether it was domestic or international, the child has special needs, and if it was finalized in 2011.

There you have it. Remember that the above information is just the basics and it does not fully encompass everything about the adoption tax credit or exclusion. It's only to serve as a jumping-off point, a foundation of knowledge, so you can make an informed decision about what's best for your finances and your 2011 taxes. If you feel you qualify for the adoption tax credit, learn more about it from the IRS. Happy tax season!

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Defining an Orphan

Lately I have come across several opinion articles about the state of adoptions in Ethiopia. In these articles, the authors raise concerns about the boom of adoptions coming from Ethiopia. [more]

Announcement Concerning the Democratic Republic of Congo

As I race across the globe in the blogging sphere this morning, I am excited to arrive at Africa. This is one of the poorest continents in the world and home to many children who need a forever family. Most of the countries in Africa deal with poverty, hunger and disease. This is a terrible tragedy and the children suffer the most in these situations. [more]

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Adopting after experiencing years of infertility can come with its own set of emotional issues. Consider visiting with a professional counselor throughout the long adoption process. This can help you keep a postive perspective during the difficult or tedious times.

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