Qualified adoption expenses don't include expenses that a taxpayer pays to adopt the child of the taxpayer's spouse. For example, prospective adoptive parents who pay for a home study at the outset of an adoption effort may treat the fees as qualified adoption expenses.Īn eligible child is an individual who is under the age of 18 or is physically or mentally incapable of self-care. Other expenses that are directly related to and for the principal purpose of the legal adoption of an eligible child.Īn expense may be a qualified adoption expense even if the expense is paid before an eligible child has been identified.Traveling expenses (including amounts spent for meals and lodging while away from home), and.Reasonable and necessary adoption fees,.Qualified adoption expensesįor both the credit and the exclusion, qualified adoption expenses, defined in section 23(d)(1) of the Code, include: The maximum amount (dollar limit) for 2021 is $14,440 per child. However, any credit in excess of your tax liability may be carried forward for up to five years.
The credit is nonrefundable, which means it's limited to your tax liability for the year. Tax benefits for adoption include both a tax credit for qualified adoption expenses paid to adopt an eligible child and an exclusion from income for employer-provided adoption assistance.