[Fran27]

Well we might not be able to finalize this year

We got our fingerprints done in May... sent the cards to our agency... they wrote us back saying we forgot to send the form with them. So I sent the form.

No word at all, so I assumed they had got them back... And today they called saying they don't have them...

We were supposed to file the finalization papers next Monday I'm just so upset!!! I told the woman that I *know* they received the cards, because they sent us aletter about it (man I wish I had kept it!!!), and all she's telling me is that they have the form, but not the cards.

And why in the world did they wait so long to let us know??? It's been THREE months!!!!!

Now by the time we redo them (knowing dh only has one day off for the rest of the year) and we get the results, we'll be lucky if we finalize this year... and bye bye tax credit. We really need the money...

I'm just so upset right now... dh is trying to get to the end of it, but nothing we can do if they claim they don't have them

[finallyamom0310]

I am so sorry. I know that frustration with agency feeling. Hugs coming your way.

[Fran27]

Thanks... After calling back twice, they told us it's apparently a miscommunication, that the papers were filed but they haven't got the FBI reply yet. So now they need to call to ask what's up with that...

Gosh what a rollercoaster... I will be SO relieved when it's finalized...

[finallyamom0310]

Not sure if you will have to or not, but we had an issue near the end with FBI prints too. We were able to expedite them and get them sent to us so I could FedEx them to the agency. I called the FBI directly and they gave me instructions on how to do it, can't remember now. Just thought I would mention this as there is hope with the FBI prints if you need it.

[aclee]

Why are you al doing finger prints again to finalize? We never had to do them, and I'm so glad...I hear they are a PIA! Is this for an update to the homestudy to finalize?

[finallyamom0310]

Ours were. They were over a year old and had to be no more than 12 months old to finalize. We also had to get a new DCFS approval.

[devildogwife]

How frustrating Fran. I am glad it was just a miscommunication though.

[BrandyHagz]

I don't believe the adoption has to be final to qualify for the Adoption Tax Credit. I believe that is an International Adoption requirement...but not a Domestic Adoption requirement.

Can someone correct me if I'm wrong?

Or maybe it's once the adoption becomes final, you can file an amended return for the previous year (when placement took place) and get the credit...

Sorry, spacey this AM.

[aclee]

When we filed our 2007 taxes (we had Ty by then, but he was placed in 2008 technically, so maybe that's the difference) I tried to claim the expenses we had paid in 2007 on our taxes. Home study etc. It wouldn't let me apply it to 2007...which is weird because I also heard you could use the credit for failed/disrupted adoptions, so how could you do that if you were never placed with a baby or whatever.

I used tax software though, so maybe if we went to a real CPA, it would be better? We are debating what we should do next year. I know we'll get the whole credit, but sometimes it's better to do it on your own. I know we spent more than we have actual reciepts for, and I could get the documentation if we were audited, but do I want to go to all the trouble just to file? I doubt it.

[crystalp]

I was told that you can claim expenses in the year that you finalize, but if you haven't finalized yet, then you can claim the expenses in the year after the expenses happened. Like for us, we will be able to claim the $$ that we spent in 2007 on our 2008 taxes that we will file this spring. Hope this helps!

[nikkianni]

So sorry Fran. I know how agency frustration feels. Isn't it funny how every "miscommunication" on their end adds an uncomfortable kink on ours?

[Stormster]

Originally Posted by crystalp

I was told that you can claim expenses in the year that you finalize, but if you haven't finalized yet, then you can claim the expenses in the year after the expenses happened. Like for us, we will be able to claim the $$ that we spent in 2007 on our 2008 taxes that we will file this spring. Hope this helps!

Yes I believe this is correct. And of course you need the SS which I still haven't done. When we got the BC I immedately got two notarized copies made. But for some reason I can't get off my rump to get the SS number.

Can someone tell me if I can do it by mail? Sorry Fran maybe this is info you will need too.

[mrskt]

Fran - just a heads up - you can get the print cards from your agency and send the cards directly to FBI yourself along with $18 for each person, and a cover letter that you sign with information about where you want the results to be sent to...

I'm an adoption worker for DHS in Arkansas and I've had several families do this b/c it's a lot faster than doing it through DHS, and not terribly expensive... I believe the website says 3-4 week turnaround.

Katy

[mrskt]

Federal Bureau of Investigation - Criminal Justice Information Services Division - FBI Identification Record Request

This is the site... might not hurt to ask your agency if they would recognize these as valid. Arkansas DHS does!

HTH,
Katy

[SupaModel]

Sorry Fran!! I would be soooo upset too