Adoption Tax Credit series: Part 2

Click HERE to read part 2 of my series on the tax credit.

If you haven't contacted your representatives, please do so now.

If you've already contacted them, do it again. The clock is ticking, this needs to happen soon!

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I recently applied for a writing position with a website.  I learned on Friday that I got the position, and I published my first article yesterday.

I am now the Atlanta Adoptive Families writer for Examiner.com.

My home page is HERE.

And you can read my first article HERE.  I decided to start off writing about the adoption tax credit. There is so much to say, so it's going to be a multi-part series!

*** If you are in the metro Atlanta area and would like to weigh-in with your opinions on the tax credit/relief, please email me by clicking HERE. ***

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H.R. 213

I've mentioned it before (read about it HERE), and I'm mentioning it again...

~The Adoption Tax Relief/Credit that currently exists is set to expire at the end of 2010~

Please write your representatives and encourage them to support its continuation.  There's so much going on now in government, and I don't want to see this get overlooked.  And of course, another good thing about so much going on is that this could be small potatoes and a slam dunk in comparison to other big ticket items. 

In addition to contacting MY representative and senator, I also sent a message to Representative Joe Wilson, who is the sponsor of this bill.  I asked for an update on the progress being made with the bill, and also spoke to the urgent need for this funding to continue. I explained that there are many families who can afford the day-to-day expenses of another child, but might not be able to dish out the large amount of money that adoption requires. This tax relief makes adoption a more realistic option, and allows more children to be united with their forever families.  You can visit Mr. Wilson's contact page HERE. 

Please, it will only take a minute to send your message and make sure your reps are on board.  Links are provided below, and there's also text you can copy and paste into your reps' contact page. 

Once you've sent your messages to your representatives, please pass this on to friends and family, and ask for their help in writing, calling, and posting on blogs and facebook. This needs to gain momentum NOW. We need an absolute ground swell of families lifting their voices together for the well-being of children throughout the world. Thanks in advance for your help!

Click HERE to email your Representative

Click HERE to email your Senator

Not sure what to say? Just copy & paste this...

My name is ___________ and I live in ___________. I am writing you regarding H.R. 213, which pertains to Adoption Tax Relief. There are over 140 million orphans in the world today, and families who are working to bring these children home are grateful for any assistance they can get to offset the high costs of adoption. The Adoption Tax credit is a significant way to help these families, and these precious children.

Many families can afford the day-to-day expenses of a child, but might not be able to gather the large amount of money that adoption requires.  This tax relief makes adoption a realistic option for them.  It provides important financial relief. But most importantly, it provides more families the opportunity to bring hope to children whose futures might otherwise be hopeless.

Please vote for the Adoption Tax Relief Guarantee Act of 2009, H.R. 213, that will keep the adoption tax credit from being repealed, and may make the tax relief measure permanent.

Thank you for your service.  We continue to pray for you and your colleagues. May God Bless you.

Did you know...

... that for adoptions completed in 2010, the maximum adoption tax credit will be $12,170
... that Vera's adoption fund is already over $1,200
... that many employers offer adoption assistance funding
... that many churches (maybe yours!) will help you establish a fund for your fundraising
... that some financial institutions offer adoption loans
... that fundraising letters DO generate donations
... that there are SO MANY great fundraising ideas out there
... that Vera is 4 1/2 years old, a great age to really benefit from therapy
... that Vera's birthday is in April - and she'll be 5 - and will likely be transferred to an institution then

I pray that Vera's Mommy and Daddy will read this post this week, that they are praying for wisdom, and that they will contact Andrea right away and let her know that they want to bring Vera home.

H.R. 213

Check out the picture at the bottom of this post - a copy of the email I just received from my State Representative (you can click on it to enlarge it). Glad to get this positive response regarding The Adoption Tax Relief Guarantee Act of 2009, H.R. 213. If you haven't taken the time to contact your Senators and Representatives (it only takes a few minutes!), please CLICK HERE and read the blog post that provides easy instructions. Thanks for your support of this important act!

And if you're a blogger, I encourage you to write a blog post and encourage your readers to do the same.

It will only take a moment...

... to write your Representatives and Senators. Due to the expense involved in adoption, many families use the adoption tax credit as a major piece of financing their efforts.

Making the Adoption Tax Credit Permanent

Adoption Action Alert

Taken from (http://www.rainbowkids.com/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=639)

The federal adoption tax credit has helped thousands of families say "Yes!" to adopting a child. It's vital that this financial support stay in place to help families offset the costs and fees associated with adopting a child. Unfortunately, the tax credit is set to expire in December 2010 unless Congress votes to continue it. It's time to take action!

The Adoption Tax Relief Guarantee Act of 2009, H.R. 213 will keep the adoption tax credit from being repealed, and may make the tax relief measure permanent. It only takes a few minutes to email or call your senators and congressmen it's important for them to hear from families impacted by the tax credit.Currently, there are 76 State Senators and Representatives cosponsoring H.R. 213. However, there are 16 states that currently have no sponsors of this bill, including eight on the East Coast* (one of the largest areas of the US with internationally adopted children). H.R. 213 is currently in committee, where most bills die. It imperative that adoptive families, and all friends of children waiting for families, act now.It only takes a few minutes to write, call, or email your representatives.

Please do so today!
Click HERE to email your Representative
Click HERE to email Senator

Currently, the following states have no cosponsors or commitments of support for H.R. 213:
West Virginia
Delaware
Connecticut
Rhode Island
New Hampshire
Vermont
Massachusetts
Maine
Idaho
Oregon
Nevada
Montana
South Dakota
New Mexico
Arkansas
Hawaii

The two states offering the greatest support are Texas & Georgia with 6 cosponsors each, closely followed by Pennsylvania with 5. Honorable mentions: Florida , Indiana , Illinois each with 4 sponsorships each.

Pass this on to friends and family, and ask for their help in writing, calling, and posting on blogs and facebook. To gain momentum, we must have an absolute ground swell of families lifting their voices together for the well-being of children throughout the world!

Feel free to copy and use something like this when writing...

Hello my name is ___________ and I live in ___________. I am writing you regarding The Adoption Tax Relief Guarantee Act of 2009, H.R. 213. My husband and I are parents of a beautiful 7-year-old, adopted in 2007. Our journey was amazing but also was very expensive. We were able to accomplish this partly due to the tax benefits that were provided. There are over 140 million orphans in the world today, and families who are working to bring these children home are grateful to get any assistance they can in financing their efforts. The Adoption Tax credit is a significant way to help these families, and more importantly, these precious children.

Please vote for the Adoption Tax Relief Guarantee Act of 2009, H.R. 213 , that will keep the adoption tax credit from being repealed, and may make the tax relief measure permanent. Thank you for your service and we pray for you and your colleagues daily. May God Bless you.

(thanks to the Kayser family for bringing this to our attention!)

Adoption Tax Credit

I read about this on Shay's blog. This is something we all need to take action on.

Please post about this and get the word out that this needs to be renewed.

Many families won't be able to afford to adopt without this credit.

If you have further information, feel free to post it in the comments section.