[brrit]

I've poked around the internet for answers, but thought I would see if anyone here has had similar issues.

I filed my families 2010 taxes using H&R Block on-line, which I've used them or TurboTax without trouble for the last few years. Well, with all the new tax laws this year I ran into a new snag this year.

After filing my taxes, I only got part of my refund back this year, but none of the adoption credit. The online "Where is my refund?" website states that more information is needed. So, I poked around and learned that I needed to have included our adoption decrees with our return. Never had to do that before, but now I do. Which is fine, but it is too late.

So, I really don't want to wait for the IRS any longer than I have to. Is there a way to amend the return and/or provide the adoption decrees required more quickly?

Anyone else in this situation?

Very thankful for the new tax laws, but wish they were more clear. Or, at least, wish H&R Block would have been more clear on what was required.

[loengard]

Originally Posted by brrit

So, I really don't want to wait for the IRS any longer than I have to. Is there a way to amend the return and/or provide the adoption decrees required more quickly?

Anyone else in this situation?.

The only way to do it is to file a 1040X for 2010 and that process will take 8-12 weeks for the IRS to review. Since the IRS has already processed your initial 1040, you can file the 1040X right away.

[ksflann]

I too got part of my refund but no adoption tax credit. I did some research and it appears that the HR Block form doesn't print the second page of form 8839 if you have no employer contributions. I have not received the letter from the IRS yet to confirm this. I am hoping that this is all that is needed.

[akcskye]

If you guys/gals are e-filing, there is your holdup.

You cannot e-file form 8839 (the adoption tax credit) this year due to the changes in the laws regarding it.

All returns that include the ATC must be paper filed.

You're not getting your adoption tax credit on your refunds because the IRS did not get your form.

My H&R Block software did not even allow me to try to e-file, so I'm surprised that you did.

In our case, we have a special needs adoption, so we had to send in copies of our adoption decree as well as the state determination of special needs (for us, the adoption assistance agreement).

We overnighted it to IRS on the 14th.

Hope any of that helps.

[ksflann]

I didn't efile my return but I sent it in by mail with all the supporting documentation. We had a carryover only and nothing new for expenses. I tried to be so careful and make sure everything was in order but I didn't know that the second page of form 8839 didn't print since it was basically blank. I am hoping that I get a letter tomorrow so I will know for sure. I will post on here once I get the letter.

[tancee]

I checked my refund status today and it said the same thing. I phoneds the IRS and they informed me that I am getting part of my refund as well. I still have to wait for the letter to tell me what documents I need and whats the hold up. I used H and R block software as well. I printed and mailed it with all supporting documents. It has to be that the 2nd page was not included. Keep us posted on what you hear. My letter will not be mailed until March 4th.

[akcskye]

I don't even have a refund status yet (I assume when where's my refund updates tonight, I *may* have one).

I know the IRS has had this in their hands since Feb. 15.

I *did* send in the second page of the form 8839 (I used the H&R Block at home software, not online if it makes any difference), but I cannot imagine they need that...as my 2007-2009 Jackson Hewitt copies given to me didn't have the second page in it!

But, my software printed it, even though it was all zeroed out, so after I read what you gals put, I took it out of the envelope and made for SURE it was in there before I sent it.

I think that the IRS is probably not happy with congress allowing this to be a cashed out credit, and will probably stall every family claiming this credit for as long as they can with lame excuses.

I mean, in my case, the average family adopting with special needs and more than one child and lower income will be getting $20k or more. That is a HUGE chunk of change in the IRS.

[allencafe76]

Originally Posted by ksflann

I too got part of my refund but no adoption tax credit. I did some research and it appears that the HR Block form doesn't print the second page of form 8839 if you have no employer contributions. I have not received the letter from the IRS yet to confirm this. I am hoping that this is all that is needed.

will you let us know if you find that this is the case? I contacted H&R block about this issue today and they said they have not been made aware that this is an issue by anyone yet?

Thank you

[ksflann]

As soon as I get my letter I will post on here. I can't imagine what more they will need. Also why does it take so long to mail a letter? I was thinking about calling the IRS too to see if they would tell me what the problem is. I doubt I will get very far doing that but I hate all the waiting. I was in such shock when I found out that we were due all the money that we had carryforwarded. Now that I know we are for sure supposed to get it, I want it. It really is a life changer!

[eagleswings216]

I'm wondering - how are you all checking your status online? Are you filing with an online program? My dad is doing our taxes with Turbo Tax pro (he's a retired accountant) - maybe he can check the status and I just don't realize it? We are mailing them tomorrow.

[SAHmom]

You may either check the status of your tax return here:

Where's My Refund - It's Quick, Easy, and Secure.

or by calling their Refund Hotline at 800-829-1040.

[eagleswings216]

Originally Posted by SAHmom

You may either check the status of your tax return here:

Where's My Refund - It's Quick, Easy, and Secure.

or by calling their Refund Hotline at 800-829-1040.

Thanks for your help!

[allencafe76]

Originally Posted by ksflann

As soon as I get my letter I will post on here. I can't imagine what more they will need. Also why does it take so long to mail a letter? I was thinking about calling the IRS too to see if they would tell me what the problem is. I doubt I will get very far doing that but I hate all the waiting. I was in such shock when I found out that we were due all the money that we had carryforwarded. Now that I know we are for sure supposed to get it, I want it. It really is a life changer!

Just curious, I check my last years paperwork, and we didnt have to send that last page of 8839 then, and it didnt get rejected. The verbage in the instructions regarding that sheet is the same for the last 2 years.

Also, which office did you mail your federal to? just wondering if that had something to do with it...

[FaithsHope]

Someone PLEASE do me a huge favor. Look at your 8839, section II, question 3. Is it checked NO even though you're claiming a carryforward? Turbotax has it ready this morning but that mistake is still there when I went to print it. I don't want to file if other software programs are printing it out the right way....but I don't want to pay for Taxact if they have the same information checked on their 8839. Please please please, just takes a second to let me know if your form says that too and then I can get my own return in the mail

Thanks

[ermiller]

Just jumping in to answer FaithsHope's question:

I did our taxes using TurboTax and our section II line 3 is marked YES for a prior year 8839. I did have to delete out our 8839 by going to the home tab: delete forms: delete 8839 and then re-enter all our adoption information once the form was ready on 2-17, otherwise TT kept saying the form was not ready. Once I did that, it allowed me to complete the process and print my return for mailing.

I do not have any information yet about our refund since I just mailed our return a week ago and the IRS usually takes 3-4 weeks to process a mailed return. I would love to know how those of you who already have this information were able to file since the IRS didn't have the form ready until Feb 9, so any returns filed prior to that did not have the properly approved form...