Let Your Voice Be Heard!

The adoption tax credit is near and dear to my heart. This is what is making adoption afforable for regular folks like us.  The credit is set to expire on December 31, 2012 and Congress needs to know not to let this happen.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, adoption can be pricey.  Don't get me wrong, it is worth every penny.  But the tax credit is the saving grace that makes you feel like you can breathe after seeing such a large number on your agency contract.

So, I am asking you to take TWO MINUTES and email/write/call your state representative and ask them to not let this credit expire.  Senators Gillibrand and Schumer have heard from me.  Every representative from all states need to be contacted.

The Adoption Tax Credit website has a sample letter and the email addresses to all local representatives to make it easy for you.  Click on any of the words in red in this blog to go straight to the website to do this.  Follows is the sample letter.  It only takes a couple of minutes to cut and paste the letter and email it.

Dear Senator/Representative NAME:

I am writing to ask you to support the adoption tax credit, which is set to expire on December 31, 2012. Since 1997, the adoption tax credit has helped tens of thousands of parents offset the high cost of adoption, making it possible for them to provide children with loving, permanent families.

The adoption tax credit is especially important to me and my family because… (Tell Congress why you care. Your Members of Congress value your voice!) 

If Congress does not take action, the current adoption tax credit will expire at the end of 2012. The credit will be reduced to $6,000, and will only benefit the few families that adopt children with special needs and have qualified adoption expenses. Most families adopting children from foster care, intercountry adoption, and domestic infant adoption will not receive any benefit. Without the adoption tax credit, many parents hoping to adopt will be unable to do so, and others will face great financial hardship. The adoption tax credit is essential to ensuring that as many children as possible find the forever families they deserve and ensuring that those families are in a more stable financial position to provide an environment where children can thrive. 

The adoption tax credit must be extended to help as many children as possible find the permanent, loving family they need and deserve. And for 2012 it should be made refundable again so that most adoptive families will benefit from it. The best adoption tax credit would be permanent, refundable, inclusive of all types of adoption, and remain a “flat” tax for children with special needs. Enclosed, for your reference, is a factsheet with more information about the adoption tax credit. 

On behalf of the countless children waiting to be adopted, and the many thousands of families that stand to benefit from the adoption tax credit, thank you for your attention to this important issue. 

Sincerely,

NAME
CITY, STATE
EMAIL ADDRESS / PHONE NUMBER

I thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping to keep this credit available.

UPDATE! The adoption tax credit was made permanent thanks to you! Click here for the details.