Monday, November 5, 2012

Save the Adoption Tax Credit


ADVOCACY ALERT: FEDERAL ADOPTION TAX CREDIT
USE YOUR VOICE WHILE CONGRESS IS AT HOME IN YOUR DISTRICT
ASK YOUR TWO U.S. SENATORS TO COSPONSOR S.3616
& YOUR REPRESENTATIVE TO COSPONSOR H.R. 4373

Dear Friend & Adoption Supporter:

As you may already know, if Congress does not act to extend the federal adoption tax credit (ATC) this year, the credit as we now know it will expire on December 31, 2012.

Members of Congress are back in their home districts until Congress resumes next Tuesday.  We encourage you to use this opportunity to reach out to your U.S. Senators and Representative about the Adoption Tax Credit. Right now it is important to engage your legislators about this issue, via a meeting, town hall, an email or a phone call, so that Members feel pressure to include the ATC in any deal that moves ahead in the lame duck session of Congress.

Imagine if Congress arrived back in Washington, D.C. and the Making Adoptions Affordable Act had 50 cosponsors on the Senate bill (S. 3616) and 50 cosponsors on the House bill (H.R. 4373)! This would undoubtedly convey a sense of urgency and bipartisan support. This goal is possible with your help!

Action:
We are contacting you today to ask you to email or call or visit with your two U.S. Senators and one Representative. Ask all three of your federal legislators to become a cosponsor of S. 3616/H.R. 4373.
Attached to this email you will find a helpful factsheet and a sample letter for emailing your Senators. If you need to find your Senator’s go to: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

Please Email or Call:
  • Email your two Senators – urge them to cosponsor S. 3616
  • Email your one Representative – urge him/her to cosponsor H.R. 4373
  • Or call the Capitol Operator at 202-224-3121 and ask to be connected to his or her office. Then ask to speak to the legislative assistant that handles adoption or tax issues.
  • Then, let us know what response you receive from your legislators, email: info@adoptiontaxcredit.org
When will this be considered in Congress?
The Adoption Tax Credit is likely to be included in a package of other tax credits that need to be extended, and we expect such a package to be considered by Congress sometime after the election. At this time, it is uncertain whether Congress will consider including the refundable provision of the credit in an extension at the end of the year. We are working hard to get refundability included and need your help in showing Members of Congress that refundability helps foster care adoption and lower to middle income tax filers. One of the most effective ways to help is to highlight examples through sharing the personal stories of individual families and/or encouraging families to share their stories directly with their legislators. Another strategy to have the refundable provision be included in tax negotiations at the end of the year is to continue to build support for H.R. 4373 and S. 3616.

Thank you for taking a few minutes to contact your legislators on this important issue!

With warm regards,

The Adoption Tax Credit Working Group’s Executive Committee:

Additional Resources:

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