[tbmichals]

My dd was born 12-8-08. We have not finalized yet. Can we claim any of those expenses on 2008's taxes or do we have to wait until 2009? I have read the IRS website but it was a little confusing to me. Anyone file yet?

[mandirenee]

Our son was born 8-27-06 and we finalized 5-17-07 and we could not take the tax credit until out 2007 taxes.

Our daughter was born 12-18-08 and we are waiting to finalize. We were told that you can't take the credit until the tax year you finalize. Which will be 2009.

But you might ask your tax advisor.

[mrskt]

It depends on whether it's domestic or international - based on your daughter's age, I'm going to assume domestic in this case.

If you had expenses in 2007, you can claim those expenses on 2008's taxes this year, but nothing in 2008, since you didn't finalize in 2008. If you finalize in 2009, then you can claim the remainder on 2009's taxes next year.

[DianeS]

To put it another way:

The IRS rules for the timing of claiming expenses paid for a domestic adoption:
1 - You can claim the expense in the year the adoption was finalized.
- OR -
2 - You can claim the expense in the year *after* the expense was paid.

Your child's adoption was not finalized in 2008, so for your 2008 taxes you can only claim expenses you paid for in 2007. Any expense you paid for in 2008 will have to wait until your 2009 taxes. Hopefully you'll finalize in 2009 and get to claim ALL your expenses that year and be done with it.

Hope that helps!

[sheababy]

DianeS is correct.