Many people don't realize that in 2001, as part of the Tax Relief Reconciliation Act, a federal tax credit for adoption was introduced. This tax credit has become such a relief for families who wish to adopt. In fact, it has helped increase legal adoption in the United States (for both international and domestic) by a considerable amount over the past decade. It has come to our attention that the Adoption Tax Credit (HR 213) is scheduled to expire at the end of 2010.
Most may not be aware, but the costs of adoption are staggering. Whether its international adoption or domestic, the costs range anywhere from $10,000 to $40,000 (and the average cost is right around $20,000). The Adoption Tax Credit will give adoptive parents a credit up to $12,100. There are so many wonderful families and couples who can provide loving homes for children, but need this financial assistance. Chances are that we will find ourselves in this position of adoptiong again.
If anybody is willing, we are asking you to write to your representative in Congress to save this federal tax credit from expiring. Below, we've included a letter that we wrote and you can feel free to include any parts of our letter in your own letter. We're sure that many of your lives have been blessed by adoption. For us, it has been a miracle that has blessed our lives, our child's life, her birth mother's life, as well as our extended family's lives. There are 150,000 - 200,000 adoptions each year in the U.S., each, as ours did, with impact that touches many more lives.
If you are not sure how best to contact your representative, you can click on the link below and type in your state and zip code to access a mailing address or even send an e-mail directly.
https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml
Dear Congressman Matheson,
We are writing as a family to encourage you to vote
for the adoption Tax Guarantee Act of 2009, HR 213. As you are already well
aware, this bill is a pending legislative effort to prevent the expiration of
the Federal Adoption Tax Credit. As a young family whose lives were recently
touched by the blessing of adoption, we feel strongly that this is an initiative
that our government should continue to support, which encourages the growth of
strong and loving families. As you may or may not be aware, the costs associated
with adoption are staggering and continue to rise. After years of dealing with
the heartache of unexplained infertility, we spent a substantial portion of our
savings on infertility treatments, including two rounds of In Vitro
Fertilization. We always thought that we would eventually conceive through these
innovative procedures, but after a miscarriage and a many failed attempts, our
eyes were opened that the only way to start a family was through adoption. With
this tax credit (that we will be receiving next year), it helped to make this
adoption in our family possible.
Without going into too many details of our adoption
journey, in short, it was a miracle felt by us, a financially distressed mother
who at the last minute realized that adoption was the only way to give her child
and herself a better life and a miracle which blessed the life of our daughter,
Taylor, who has two loving parents who are able to provide her with all of her
needs. Our story is only one example of the 200,000 adoptions or so that take
place every year. We do not know if you have been involved with adoption in your
own family, but as any of our family members or friends can attest, it is one of
the most beautiful and special experiences that can take place in a lifetime. We
hope to adopt another child if not more as we grow our family. With adoptions
that cost an average of $25,000 per adoption, this Federal Tax Credit is just
one step in helping to make these adoptions financially possible.
We appreciate you representing the needs of your constituents and we love living in
this state where family values are so important. We are very hopeful that you
will represent those values as you vote for this bill. We love sharing our story
and if there is any way that could help with the passing of this bill, please
let us know.
Sincerely,
Dustin and Jamie
