I shall be blogging on a new site: www.twopinklinesthebook.com
This site will be about my forthcoming book, will contain useful information and Podcasts about the the journey of making the book. Feel free to check it out!
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Tax credit for adoption expenses should help many!
How to Receive a Tax Credit for Your Adoption Expenses-from the RESOLVE website
The Federal Adoption Tax Credit is a refundable credit for qualified adoption expenses up to $13,170. For tax year 2010, a family or individual qualifies for the full amount of the credit if their modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) is less than $182,520. A partial credit is available on a sliding scale for those with a MAGI between $182,520 and $222,520. The amount of the credit and the income thresholds may rise slightly in 2011 based on inflation.
The credit is “refundable” because it is available as a cash refund, even if the adoptive parent(s) have no tax liability. You could actually receive money from the federal government even if you do not owe federal taxes or the amount you owe is less than your qualified adoption expenses.
The refundable nature of the Federal Adoption Tax Credit is a change from 2009 and years prior when the credit could be carried forward to subsequent tax years, but was not refundable. Another change is that if you have a credit that is being carried forward from 2009 or before, you can claim the balance as a cash refund in 2010 even if you do not have tax liability in the amount of the remaining credit.
Few refundable tax credits exist, so it is significant that adoption expenses are now reimbursed by the federal government. By offering this refundable tax credit, the government provides incentive for people to adopt children. The credit is not available for stepparent adoptions since the child is already in the home of the adopting parent.
The IRS defines “qualified adoption expenses” as reasonable and necessary adoption fees, court costs, attorney fees, and other expenses directly related to, and for the principal purpose of, adopting an eligible child. Thus, adoptive parents may recover costs for initial attorney meetings, agency fees, birth parent living expenses (if allowed under your state’s law) and travel expenses.
When to File for Both Successful and Unsuccessful Adoptions
The Federal Adoption Tax Credit is generally taken in the year that your adoption is finalized, regardless of when expenses were incurred. You may file for additional adoption expenses in subsequent years if the total amount refunded does not exceed the amount of the credit in the last year that you incurred expenses. For example, if you finalized your international adoption and claimed the credit one year and subsequently domesticated your adoption in a later year, then if the amount of the tax credit has increased and you still qualify to take the credit, you may now claim the difference between the current credit and the credit you received for your original finalization.
The government also allows the credit for failed domestic adoptions. You take the credit in the tax year the adoption fails. In order to be considered a failed adoption, the child must be an identified child. Thus, if a birth mother chooses you to be adoptive parents, but then changes her mind, you are eligible for the credit. If you pay an attorney or agency to help find a child to adopt, you cannot take the credit for those expenses until you finalized an adoption or until you attempt to but fail to complete the adoption of an identified child born or to be born in the United States.
Tips for Applying for Adoption Tax Credit
When applying for the credit, you may not file your return online, although you may use an online program to compile it. Along with the completed paper return, you must complete IRS Form 8839 and send documentation to substantiate reported expenses. The documentation may be a final decree of adoption and/or a certificate of adoption you are given as part of your finalization. It generally takes six to eight weeks to receive a refund.
For the adoption of a child who is considered “special needs” as that term is defined by each state, adoptive parents are eligible to receive the full amount of the tax credit ($13,170 in 2010), even if your qualified adoption expenses do not equal the amount of the available credit. In this case, you must attach additional documentation both defining what “special needs” means in your state and showing that there has been a finding that the child you adopted falls under the state’s definition of “special needs”.
While adoption can be an expensive process, the Federal Adoption Tax Credit represents a wonderful resource available to many who seek to build their family through adoption. An experienced adoption attorney may suggest additional state tax incentives that may be available in your state.
Disclaimer: The Federal Adoption Tax Credit was extended through 2011 by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010. As the result of this extension, the credit became refundable. There may be other changes as well. This article is not intended to be construed as tax advice. You should seek the advice of a certified accountant or tax attorney to determine if the Federal Adoption Tax Credit is available to you and how to apply it appropriately.
Source: 26 CFR 601.105: Examination of returns and claims for refund, credit, or abatement; determination of correct tax liability, IRS Notice 2010-66. Available at: www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-10-66.pdf
The Federal Adoption Tax Credit is a refundable credit for qualified adoption expenses up to $13,170. For tax year 2010, a family or individual qualifies for the full amount of the credit if their modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) is less than $182,520. A partial credit is available on a sliding scale for those with a MAGI between $182,520 and $222,520. The amount of the credit and the income thresholds may rise slightly in 2011 based on inflation.
The credit is “refundable” because it is available as a cash refund, even if the adoptive parent(s) have no tax liability. You could actually receive money from the federal government even if you do not owe federal taxes or the amount you owe is less than your qualified adoption expenses.
The refundable nature of the Federal Adoption Tax Credit is a change from 2009 and years prior when the credit could be carried forward to subsequent tax years, but was not refundable. Another change is that if you have a credit that is being carried forward from 2009 or before, you can claim the balance as a cash refund in 2010 even if you do not have tax liability in the amount of the remaining credit.
Few refundable tax credits exist, so it is significant that adoption expenses are now reimbursed by the federal government. By offering this refundable tax credit, the government provides incentive for people to adopt children. The credit is not available for stepparent adoptions since the child is already in the home of the adopting parent.
The IRS defines “qualified adoption expenses” as reasonable and necessary adoption fees, court costs, attorney fees, and other expenses directly related to, and for the principal purpose of, adopting an eligible child. Thus, adoptive parents may recover costs for initial attorney meetings, agency fees, birth parent living expenses (if allowed under your state’s law) and travel expenses.
When to File for Both Successful and Unsuccessful Adoptions
The Federal Adoption Tax Credit is generally taken in the year that your adoption is finalized, regardless of when expenses were incurred. You may file for additional adoption expenses in subsequent years if the total amount refunded does not exceed the amount of the credit in the last year that you incurred expenses. For example, if you finalized your international adoption and claimed the credit one year and subsequently domesticated your adoption in a later year, then if the amount of the tax credit has increased and you still qualify to take the credit, you may now claim the difference between the current credit and the credit you received for your original finalization.
The government also allows the credit for failed domestic adoptions. You take the credit in the tax year the adoption fails. In order to be considered a failed adoption, the child must be an identified child. Thus, if a birth mother chooses you to be adoptive parents, but then changes her mind, you are eligible for the credit. If you pay an attorney or agency to help find a child to adopt, you cannot take the credit for those expenses until you finalized an adoption or until you attempt to but fail to complete the adoption of an identified child born or to be born in the United States.
Tips for Applying for Adoption Tax Credit
When applying for the credit, you may not file your return online, although you may use an online program to compile it. Along with the completed paper return, you must complete IRS Form 8839 and send documentation to substantiate reported expenses. The documentation may be a final decree of adoption and/or a certificate of adoption you are given as part of your finalization. It generally takes six to eight weeks to receive a refund.
For the adoption of a child who is considered “special needs” as that term is defined by each state, adoptive parents are eligible to receive the full amount of the tax credit ($13,170 in 2010), even if your qualified adoption expenses do not equal the amount of the available credit. In this case, you must attach additional documentation both defining what “special needs” means in your state and showing that there has been a finding that the child you adopted falls under the state’s definition of “special needs”.
While adoption can be an expensive process, the Federal Adoption Tax Credit represents a wonderful resource available to many who seek to build their family through adoption. An experienced adoption attorney may suggest additional state tax incentives that may be available in your state.
Disclaimer: The Federal Adoption Tax Credit was extended through 2011 by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010. As the result of this extension, the credit became refundable. There may be other changes as well. This article is not intended to be construed as tax advice. You should seek the advice of a certified accountant or tax attorney to determine if the Federal Adoption Tax Credit is available to you and how to apply it appropriately.
Source: 26 CFR 601.105: Examination of returns and claims for refund, credit, or abatement; determination of correct tax liability, IRS Notice 2010-66. Available at: www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-10-66.pdf
Friday, August 5, 2011
Test Tube Baby Revisited!
If a women has fertility problems then there are a wide range of procedures out there to help; stimulation with Clomid, IUI, IVF, donor egg, surrogacy. However when the problem lies with the man, then that's a different story. Fewer options are available and this seems damming to most couples. But fear not, research in a test tube took us to the first baby born via IVF and now again we see science revolutionize how babies can be born. Namely,sterile mice made fertile using stem cells. Although early days, scientists at Kyoto University have managed to change the fertility status of sterile mice, making them fertile. The fertile sperm together with mouse eggs produced healthy baby mice.....now that's one for the books.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
New Fertility Magazine Launch!
The Lane Fertility Magazine
It’s been a while coming, but finally there is a nationwide online magazine (for free) to help you along your path. It’s a great magazine! Lane has managed to incorporate the hot topics that come up time and again for couples; diet, acupuncture, managing relationships and when to worry, or not worry. In an arena where everything to do with fertility cost so much money, it’s nice to see experts in the field share their views and offer their support as you journey along. You can access the Dr’s good word at http://lanefertilitymagazine.com. Enjoy the read!
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Single Mothers By Choice
As I was writing an article on single mothers by choice (SMC), I came across the website : http://www.singlemothersbychoice.org
It is informative, has blogs and local communities to support SMC.
If you or someone you love is thinking about becoming a single mother by choice, pass on the website.For more information and resources for SMC, feel free to contact me at fenella@comcast.net
Best wishes
Monday, May 16, 2011
Legislation will remove financial barriers for infertility treatments
On May 12, 2011, legislation was introduced into Congress that, if passed, will establish a tax credit to improve access to medical treatment for infertility, which affects millions of people in the United States i. This important legislation could help those who might not otherwise be able to have children, build families of their own through in vitro fertilization (IVF) if indicated as a course of action.
The Family Act of 2011 is the first tax credit introduced in Congress to support those seeking to build a family through medical treatment for infertility. It was introduced to the Senate by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) in an effort to reduce the considerable cost barriers that infertile couples face.
The American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) lists the average price of one in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle in the U.S. to be $12,400.i For the majority of patients seeking treatment for infertility, costs for assisted reproductive technology, such as IVF, are paid for-out-of-pocket and not a covered benefit under group or individual health insurance policies. Only 15 states have passed laws requiring that insurance policies cover or offer to cover some level of infertility treatment ii.
With new U.S. healthcare costs continually rising and new coverage mandates in place as a result of the new healthcare reform law, it is more important than ever to establish tax and economic policies that are supportive of families.
If you would like to contact your Congressman to voice your support of the Family Act, go to
http://bit.ly/lsFfKx .
About the Family Act:
- Tax payers who have been diagnosed as infertile by a licensed physician and for whom the indicated course of treatment is to undergo IVF treatment would be able to claim a tax credit
- Eligible treatments include medical procedures, laboratory procedures, professional charges and other necessary costs when a patient undergoes IVF treatments
- The maximum credit amount available to eligible tax payers would be $13,360
- The credit would be available to taxpayers that have an adjusted gross income of less than $182,500 and phases out for those whose incomes reach $222,520
- There is a 50/50 cost share inherent in the credit so eligible tax payers may claim the credit for up to one half of their expenses
Saturday, April 9, 2011
New Fertility Counseling Package as of April 2011.
The price of fertility treatment can be exorbitant, leaving little room for the important adjunct of psychotherapy --- more specifically fertility counseling. However, your mental health is an important part of the process. To accommodate for this, I am now offering more affordable mental health care coverage.
30 minute session, phone or in person: $75
45 minute session, phone or in person: $110
60 minute session, phone or in person: $130
Package:
(6) 30 minute sessions: $390 ($65 /session)
(6) 45 minute sessions: $600 ($100/session)
(6) 60 minute sessions: $720 ($120/session)
Please inquire for your specific needs.
30 minute session, phone or in person: $75
45 minute session, phone or in person: $110
60 minute session, phone or in person: $130
Package:
(6) 30 minute sessions: $390 ($65 /session)
(6) 45 minute sessions: $600 ($100/session)
(6) 60 minute sessions: $720 ($120/session)
Please inquire for your specific needs.
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