Local adoptive parents may be eligible for refundable federal tax credit

The North American Council on Adoptive Children is partnering with H&R Block to help adoptive parents determine if they are eligible to receive additional benefits.

Since 2003, families who adopted a child with special needs from foster care could claim a federal adoption tax credit even if they had no adoption expenses.

Other adoptive families are also eligible for the credit, but must document qualified adoption expenses.

The tax credit became refundable for 2010 and 2011.A refundable tax credit is one you get regardless of what you owe or paid in taxes for the year.

Families who adopted from 2005 to 2009 may be able to benefit from the refundable credit because credits from those years can be carried forward until 2010.

To download a flyer with information on this tax credit, click here.