Understanding the Adoption Tax Exclusion and Its Benefits for Families

Definition & Meaning

The adoption tax exclusion is a provision in the federal tax code established by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). It allows adoptive parents to exclude certain adoption-related benefits from their federal adjusted gross income. This exclusion applies to cash or other benefits provided by private-sector employers to help cover qualifying adoption expenses. Importantly, these benefits can often be combined with any available federal adoption expense tax credit, providing additional financial support for adoptive families.

Table of content

Real-world examples

Here are a couple of examples of abatement:

Example 1: A couple adopts a child and their employer provides $10,000 to cover adoption-related expenses. They can exclude this amount from their taxable income under the adoption tax exclusion.

Example 2: An individual adopts a child and receives a $5,000 reimbursement from their employer for adoption costs. This reimbursement can also be excluded from their adjusted gross income. (hypothetical example)

What to do if this term applies to you

If you are an adoptive parent and believe you may qualify for the adoption tax exclusion, gather all relevant documentation of your adoption expenses. Consider using legal form templates from US Legal Forms to assist you in filing your taxes correctly. If your situation is complex or you have questions, consulting a tax professional or legal advisor is recommended.

Key takeaways

Frequently asked questions

Qualifying expenses typically include adoption fees, court costs, and other related expenses as defined by the IRS.