Introduction

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Created 15 years ago, the adoption tax credit now allows parents to claim a credit of $12,650 from their federal income taxes to defray the costs of any adoption. (Although it no longer allows families to claim a refund if the credit exceeds their tax bill, as it had in earlier years.) The credit expires at the end of the year for adoptions other than those of foster children with special needs.

Should the adoption tax credit be renewed with the refund provision included so that even families of modest income can claim it?