Heart of the Matter Seminars introduces . . . OPENING UP OPEN ADOPTION: What is it and is it for you?

A new course for all adoptive parents and professionals . . .

"An educational program essential for everyone interested in adoption."  N.C.

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!

Give your families the information to succeed with this new two hour course which examines openness from the viewpoints of adoptive parents, birth parents, adoption professionals, and adult adoptees.  It addresses both theoretical and practical aspects of openness in adoption with participants exploring what open adoption might look like before and after the adoption, the individual nature of openness, benefits, challenges, and more.

Qualify and Claim the Adoption Tax Credit

Two documents from the US International Revenue Service (IRS) provide information to individuals on how to qualify for and claim the adoption tax credit for certain adoption expenses.

The first document, Adoption Benefits FAQs, explains the adoption credit for tax year 2011, including which expenses are qualified adoption expenses, who is an eligible child, when to claim the credit, which forms to complete, and what supporting documentation is required.  The information was last updated in August 2012, and is available here.

The second document, March 2012 Adoption Credit Phone Forum Questions and Answers, provides further details on when certain expenses are allowable for the adoption credit for tax years 2011, 2012, and 2013.  It also provides the maximum credit amounts and income limitations for those tax years, as well as specific requirements for domestic special needs adoptions and intercountry adoptions.  The information in this document was last updated in October 2012, and is available here.