FEDERAL AND STATE ADOPTION TAX CREDIT

The federal income tax credit of up to $5,000 may be the only governmental assistance available to you when you adopt a child internationally, and this credit will be eliminated after 2001. In addition, the Immigration and Naturalization Service requires adoptive parents to sign an affidavit of support saying that they won't ask the U.S. government to support the adopted child. This affidavit is binding for three years. This form is currently under revision and the length of time that the new form will be binding is uncertain at this time.

NON-RECURRING ADOPTION EXPENSES

According to the North American Council on Adoptable Children, under specific and limited circumstances, several states will consider reimbursing one-time expenses for international adoptions. Each state sets its own requirements to determine whether the adopted child and the child's family would quality for this reimbursement. Reimbursable expenses may include attorney's fees, medical treatment, court costs, and travel expenses associated with placement.

SLIDING-SCALE FEES

Some adoption agencies may reduce fees for low-income families adopting older children or children with special needs from abroad.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS AND MILITARY PROGRAMS

Employers may reimburse some expenses associated with international adoptions through their employee adoption benefits program. The military also includes international adoptions in their adoption assistance programs.

MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

In a few rare cases, your child may be eligible for SSI and then be able also to receive Title IV-E adoption assistance.