DATED MATERIAL
We at Nightlight are neither accountants, nor are we financial or tax experts. The material in this document can change as new laws are implemented or organizations change policies. All information, especially related to taxes and benefits, should be discussed with your CPA or other tax expert. This information is provided as general information and is not a guide in completing tax forms, etc.
FEDERAL TAX CREDIT: $14,890
Great news: The adoption tax credit has been permanently extended!!
The Adoption Tax Credit as of 2022 is $14,890. For a thorough overview of the tax credit read the FAQs on the tax credit AdoptionTaxCredit.org.
You may apply up to $14,890 of your adoption expenses toward your federal taxes when you file your taxes, depending upon the year that your adoption was finalized.
When the adoption tax credit is only a credit, you can only get back what you have paid in taxes. This amount can be carried forward for up to 5 years. So if you only pay $4,000 in federal income tax per year, and you adopted in last year, it will take you 3 years in filing taxes before you can recoup all of the tax credit due you.
If you adopt two children, you could have a tax credit for double the amount, assuming that your expenses were that high, and that your tax liability was that high. It is important to note that if your income is too high, you could be phased out of the tax credit. Also, if your income is lower and you receive many tax breaks, you may not be able get the tax credit if you are not paying Federal Income Tax.
If your company has employer-provided adoption assistance, you can receive tax-free income from your job, but there is a limit on the amount. Also, your employer can reduce your salary to pay the adoption benefit so that you can receive tax-free income. You’ll still need to make sure if you are claiming a credit that you paid expenses equal to that amount, and that you have tax liability.
Read more about employer benefits go to http://adoptivefamilies.com/articles.php?aid=832
Here is what someone said about Wheaton College of Illinois “The model chosen by the college is to provide an equivalent benefit to parents by adoption as they do for biological parents. A parent is a parent and a family is a family! In dollars and cents the adoption benefit is an approximation of the insurance costs for a normal and healthy delivery. That works out to be just $10,320. An additional benefit of the financial benefit is the growing number of adoptive families within the college community.”
The tax credit is phased out for families with a gross adjusted income (AGI) of $194.540 or more, and is completely phased out for those with an AGI of $234,580 or more.
The special provisions for those adopting children with special needs who pay minimal or no adoption related fees may still be eligible for the tax credit if the adopted children are placed through social services or an agency with a contract with social services.
(Nightlight cannot provide tax advice to your specific situation. This information has been provided in conjunction with attorney John Hine for Greenville, SC. As with all tax matters, consult with a tax attorney or CPA.)
For more information on filing for the adoption tax and other information go to: ABBA Fund: Everything You Want to Know and More About the Adoption Tax Credit by Jason Kovacs. This document has up to the minute information.
Some states provide a tax credit. For example, in South Carolina families may be eligible for a $2,000 income deduction on their SC Individual Income Tax return if they have adopted a child with special needs or one who is at risk for special needs. The deduction can begin in the year the adoption was made final. A letter from the adoption agency certifying that their adopted child had a special need or was at risk, should be attached to the family’s tax return. Consult the instructions accompanying state tax returns or a tax advisor.
Many South Carolina families adopting domestically or adopting an international child who came to the US on a guardianship program are approved to receive $1,500 from the State of SC when adopting. The information regarding this is included in the Nightlight home study packet.
This program provides information about adoption benefits to employers and employees in both the public and private sectors. Funded by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, the project maintains a database of employers with adoption benefits—financial reimbursement, paid and/or unpaid leave time, and resource and referral services. This list is updated regularly. As a result of this program, more than 250 employers have implemented or improved adoption benefits, impacting 1.5 million employees nationwide.
AC Vroman Inc.
Acrometal Companies Inc.
Adaptec, Inc.
ADC Telecommunications
ADP Foundation
Advantis
AES Corporation
AGIA, Inc.
See a full list of CA Employers in the Tax Credit PDF Document…
CoBank $3,500
CSG Systems, Inc. $5,000
McKesson Corporation $2,000
Merlin International, Inc. $10,000
Molson Coors Brewing Company $3,000
Verizon Business $10,000
Listed are employers who provide adoption benefits. The information can change as employers decide to modify their benefits package.
STATE OF SC EMPLOYEES
State of SC employees can receive up to $5,000 in benefits and $12,970 if the child has special needs. There is a pool of money that is divided out among the adoptive families. There is also a specific time frame in which you can submit the request for benefits. Check the Employee Insurance Program website for details on their Adoption Assistance Programs.
Blackbaud, Inc. $3,000
BMW $5,000
First Reliance Bank $5,000 8 12 weeks
First Sun Management Corporation $7,000 3
FiJi $7,000
www.opm.gov/employment_and_benefits/worklife/officialdocuments/handbooksguides/adoption/index.asp
Federal employees can check the Office of Personnel Management website for detail on adoption benefits.Federal Family Medical Leave Act
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