Blog

Welcome! We have created a new blog that will aim to address any and all questions that you might have about international adoption. Please check back often to keep updated! To read earlier entries, please visit our Blog Archive or visit the link in the sidebar to your right.

Monday, April 23, 2012 - Federal Adoption Tax Credit

Internal Revenue Service
Phone: Toll-Free, 1-800-829-1040
Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. your local time
Web site: http://www.irs.ustreas.gov

The Affordable Care Act, passed on March 22, 2010, raised the maximum adoption credit to $13,360 per child for 2011, and at least $12,170 for 2012. It also made the credit refundable through 2011, meaning that eligible taxpayers can get it even if they owe no tax for that year. In general, the credit is based on the reasonable and necessary expenses related to a legal adoption, including adoption fees, court costs, attorney's fees and travel expenses. Income limits and other special rules apply.

Brief Summary:
-The Adoption Tax Credit has been extended through December 31, 2012. Beyond 2012, the tax credit will revert to the previous credit that was in place prior to 2002.
-Adoption Tax Credit Amounts (if Congress makes no changes):
2011: $13,360 (indexed for inflation, refundable)
2012: at least $12,170 (indexed for inflation, non-refundable)
2013: $6,000 for a special needs child
-The Adoption Tax Credit is refundable only through 2011.

For more information on the tax credit, see Form 8839, Qualified Adoption Expenses (PDF), and the worksheets located in the instructions (PDF), both available at the IRS web site listed above.

For information about contacting Congress or the media to advocate to extend the Adoption Tax Credit, see The Future of the Adoption Tax Credit in the February 2012 issue of the Adoption Associates Quarterly Newsletter.

For detailed advice regarding the credit, contact a tax advisor.

Monday, November 14, 2011 - Many new children need families!

Dear friends,

Our website has been updated with the pictures and information of new children recently. We now have approximately 300 children on our website - we need families! More children will be added soon. Please, visit our website and spread the word about these children. Together, we can change their lives for the better!

Wednesday, October 12, 2011 - We need your help!

We are looking for a family for this beautiful boy who is aging out. Please, help us to save this great boy!

Vladik, AGING OUT IN FEB 2012.
FAMILY URGENTLY NEEDED!

GREAT BOY,  Vladik who is turning 16 in February 2012. Director of the orphanage says he is an exceptionally good boy, really wants a family, very recommended, great Christian, has been waiting for a family for years. Please help Vladik to find a loving family!!!

Monday, September 26, 2011 - Changes to the Adoption Requirements

We are very happy to report to you that one of the major requirements for adoption according to the Ukrainian law has recently been revoked. Previously, the age difference between the oldest adoptive parent and a child could not have exceeded 45 years. This requirement has been removed, making it possible for even more prospective parents to find their forever child.

We hope you find this news as exciting as we do. If you are considering adoption, please make sure to check out our "Waiting Children" page for a listing of children desperately needing families.

Monday, September 12, 2011 - Statistics:

Here are some statistics for the past two years of the existence of our organization. It is amazing to see how many children were able to find their homes in 2011!

In 2010, our first year, 5 children have found their forever families through us.

In 2011, as of September, as many as 20 children have been united with their new families.

Thursday, July 28, 2011 - New Adoption Law

On July 11, 2011 the new addition to the adoption law in Ukraine has become valid. According to the new adoption law, children 5 y.o. an older only are available for adoption by foreign families. Children younger than 5 y.o. can be adopted only if they have older siblings available for international adoption and being adopted together with them. Also if a child under 5 y.o. is on the list of diseases of the Ministry of Health which is relatively short and consists mostly of children with significant medical issues. 

We have been advocating for children older than 6 y.o. and children with special needs from the day of the creation of our organization.  We hope that more families will consider adoption of a waiting child at this time.

They are waiting for us!

Sunday, June 12, 2011 - More Children Added

Please be sure to check out our Waiting Children page where more children have been added to our database. Pages 2, 3 and 4, in particular, have been updated with a few lovely children that are hoping to be adopted and find their forever families.

As always, do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or comments.