Adoption expenses
Allowance of credit
In general
Year credit allowed
The credit under paragraph (1) with respect to any expense shall be allowed—
in the case of any expense paid or incurred before the taxable year in which such adoption becomes final, for the taxable year following the taxable year during which such expense is paid or incurred, and
in the case of an expense paid or incurred during or after the taxable year in which such adoption becomes final, for the taxable year in which such expense is paid or incurred.
$10,000 credit for adoption of child with special needs regardless of expenses
Limitations
Dollar limitation
Income limitation
In general
The amount allowable as a credit under subsection (a) for any taxable year (determined without regard to subsection (c)) shall be reduced (but not below zero) by an amount which bears the same ratio to the amount so allowable (determined without regard to this paragraph but with regard to paragraph (1)) as—
the amount (if any) by which the taxpayer’s adjusted gross income exceeds $150,000, bears to
$40,000.
Determination of adjusted gross income
Denial of double benefit
In general
Grants
Carryforwards of unused credit
In general
Limitation
Definitions
For purposes of this section—
Qualified adoption expenses
The term “qualified adoption expenses” means reasonable and necessary adoption fees, court costs, attorney fees, and other expenses—
which are directly related to, and the principal purpose of which is for, the legal adoption of an eligible child by the taxpayer,
which are not incurred in violation of State or Federal law or in carrying out any surrogate parenting arrangement,
which are not expenses in connection with the adoption by an individual of a child who is the child of such individual’s spouse, and
which are not reimbursed under an employer program or otherwise.
Eligible child
The term “eligible child” means any individual who—
has not attained age 18, or
is physically or mentally incapable of caring for himself.
Child with special needs
The term “child with special needs” means any child if—
a State has determined that the child cannot or should not be returned to the home of his parents,
such State has determined that there exists with respect to the child a specific factor or condition (such as his ethnic background, age, or membership in a minority or sibling group, or the presence of factors such as medical conditions or physical, mental, or emotional handicaps) because of which it is reasonable to conclude that such child cannot be placed with adoptive parents without providing adoption assistance, and
such child is a citizen or resident of the United States (as defined in section 217(h)(3)).
Special rules for foreign adoptions
In the case of an adoption of a child who is not a citizen or resident of the United States (as defined in section 217(h)(3))—
subsection (a) shall not apply to any qualified adoption expense with respect to such adoption unless such adoption becomes final, and
any such expense which is paid or incurred before the taxable year in which such adoption becomes final shall be taken into account under this section as if such expense were paid or incurred during such year.
Filing requirements
Married couples must file joint returns
Taxpayer must include TIN
In general
Other methods
Basis adjustments
Adjustments for inflation
In the case of a taxable year beginning after
such dollar amount, multiplied by
the cost-of-living adjustment determined under section 1(f)(3) for the calendar year in which the taxable year begins, determined by substituting “calendar year 2001” for “calendar year 2016” in subparagraph (A)(ii) thereof.
If any amount as increased under the preceding sentence is not a multiple of $10, such amount shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of $10.
Regulations
Source
(Added Pub. L. 104–188, title I, § 1807(a),Notes
Inflation Adjusted Items for Certain Years
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
Amendments
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2017 Amendment
Effective Date of 2013 Amendment
Effective and Termination Dates of 2010 Amendment
Effective and Termination Dates of 2008 Amendment
In general.—
Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amendments made by this section [amending this section and sections 24, 25B, 25D, 26, and 45 of this title] shall apply to taxable years beginning after
Solar electric property limitation.—
The amendments made by subsection (b) [amending section 25D of this title] shall apply to taxable years beginning after
Application of egtrra sunset.—
The amendments made by subparagraphs (A) and (B) of subsection (e)(2) [amending this section and section 24 of this title] shall be subject to title IX of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 [Pub. L. 107–16, § 901, which was repealed by Pub. L. 112–240, title I, § 101(a)(1),
Effective and Termination Dates of 2005 Amendment
In general.—
Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3), the amendments made by this section [see Tables for classification] shall take effect as if included in the provisions of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 [Pub. L. 109–58] to which they relate.
Repeal of public utility holding company act of 1935.—
The amendments made by subsection (a) [amending sections 121, 246, 247, 1223, 1245, and 1250 of this title and repealing sections 1081 to 1083 of this title] shall not apply with respect to any transaction ordered in compliance with the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 [15 U.S.C. 79 et seq.] before its repeal.
Coordination of personal credits.—
The amendments made by subsection (i)(3) [amending this section and sections 24, 25, 25B, 25D, 904, and 1400C of this title] shall apply to taxable years beginning after
Effective Date of 2002 Amendment
Effective Date of 2001 Amendment
In general.—
Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amendments made by this section [amending this section and sections 24, 26, 137, 904, and 1400C of this title] shall apply to taxable years beginning after
Subsection (a).—
The amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this section and section 137 of this title] shall apply to taxable years beginning after
Effective Date of 1998 Amendment
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
In general.—
Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amendments made by this section [amending this section, sections 30A, 52, 55, 137, 401, 403, 404, 408, 414, 512, 529, 593, 641, 679, 860L, 956, 1361, 1374, 4001, 4041, 4092, 4261, 6039D, 6048, 6050R, 6501, 6693, 7701, and 9503 of this title, section 1055 of Title 29, Labor, and provisions set out as notes under sections 529 and 4091 of this title] shall take effect as if included in the provisions of the Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996 [Pub. L. 104–188] to which they relate.
Certain administrative requirements with respect to certain pension plans.—
The amendment made by subsection (d)(2)(D) [amending section 401 of this title] shall apply to calendar years beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act [
Effective Date
Savings Provision
“If—
any provision amended or repealed by the amendments made by subsection (b) or (d) [see Tables for classification] applied to—
any transaction occurring before the date of the enactment of this Act [
any property acquired before such date of enactment, or
any item of income, loss, deduction, or credit taken into account before such date of enactment, and
the treatment of such transaction, property, or item under such provision would (without regard to the amendments or repeals made by such subsection) affect the liability for tax for periods ending after such date of enactment,
nothing in the amendments or repeals made by this section [see Tables for classification] shall be construed to affect the treatment of such transaction, property, or item for purposes of determining liability for tax for periods ending after such date of enactment.”