Check out the letter one of our AWESOME Alaska Members received when she contacted her Congressman regarding the Making Adoption Affordable Act. Please take the time to contact your Representative from Congress ASAP and share with us your experience.
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If you know your Representative, simply call the Capitol hotline at 202-224-3121!!
Dear Mrs. Passmore,
Thank you for contacting me regarding H.R. 4373, the Making Adoption Affordable Act. I appreciate you taking the time to
share your concerns with me.
On April 17, 2012, Representative Bruce Braley
(D-IA) introduced H.R. 4373 to make
permanent certain tax credits for adoption expenses. This legislation,
as the title suggests, attempts to encourage adoptions by attempting to
offset the growing costs associated with such an undertaking. A 2010
study holds that foster care costs the taxpayers
around $47,000 per child, per year.
Under
current tax law, individuals who qualify may receive a tax credit of
$12,360 for adopting an eligible child. This legislation would increase
that amount to
$13,360 and would make it permanent. Originally, the credit was in the
amount of $10,000, which was established following passage of H.R.
4853, the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job
Creation Act of 2010. This tax credit is intended
to help offset the cost for parents who choose to adopt children.
Opponents
of the bill claim that it only serves to further complicate the
existing complex tax code. It is also argued that the previous tax
credit was more than
a sufficient incentive for parents to adopt. They believe that the
increased tax credit does little to improve the quality of life of
adopted children, and only increases the cost burden on the taxpayer.
Supporters
of this legislation argue that making adoption a more financially
viable option for parents will help improve the quality of life for
adopted children
and boost the number of children being adopted overall. It could also
convince parents that adoption is a feasible option when they would
otherwise choose not to adopt. As a proud grandfather of adopted
children, I have a deep personal appreciation and understanding
of the adoption process and the joy that comes from a successful
adoption. Adoption is something that is very special to me and I would
strongly encourage willing and interested Americans to adopt.
H.R. 4373 was referred to the House Ways
and Means Committee on April 17, 2012, where
it awaits further action. Should this legislation reach the House
floor for a vote, I will certainly keep your thoughts in mind.
Once
again, thank you for expressing your views on this issue. If you
haven't already, I would encourage you to sign up for my e-newsletter
at http://donyoung.house.gov/
Sincerely,
DON YOUNG
Congressman for All Alaska
