Monday, November 30, 2009
Christmas is coming
At this time of year I feel we reflect a little more on the many blessings and gifts we have been given. I have also been thinking about our two birth mothers and what to do for them at this time of year. Please share your thoughts or ideas for what you have done or are planning on doing for your birth parents this year.
Monday, November 23, 2009
FSA Party!
A very big THANK YOU goes to Percy and Sarah for planning the activity and making it such a great success! We had a good turnout and the food was yummy. We hope all of you can make it to our next activity. (more details on that to come)
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Don't Forget this Saturday!
Don't forget the activity on Saturday, November 21st from 11-1. More details to come, but we will have lunch and activities for the kids. The church building address is:
12310 New Hampton Dr
TOMBALL, TEXAS
It is located on North Eldridge parkway between Spring-Cypress and Louetta.
We will be collecting the following items for the Ronald McDonald House in Houston if you are willing to donate, please bring these items with you that day.
Paper towels
Trash bags: 13 gallon tall and 45 gallon
Clorox Bleach
Era liquid laundry detergent
We have had a few people say they are coming to the activity please let us know if you are coming either by email or comment's on the blog.
12310 New Hampton Dr
TOMBALL, TEXAS
It is located on North Eldridge parkway between Spring-Cypress and Louetta.
We will be collecting the following items for the Ronald McDonald House in Houston if you are willing to donate, please bring these items with you that day.
Paper towels
Trash bags: 13 gallon tall and 45 gallon
Clorox Bleach
Era liquid laundry detergent
We have had a few people say they are coming to the activity please let us know if you are coming either by email or comment's on the blog.
Great article on the National FSA Site
If you don't usually check out the National FSA Blog, this is a reminder that it is a great resource for all types of things. Here is a link for families who are in the adoption process about creating profiles and "pass along" cards. I thought they had some cute finding ideas and wording for profiles. Let me know what you think.
http://familiessupportingadoption.blogspot.com/2009/11/finding-friday-create-and-pass-out-pass_06.html
http://familiessupportingadoption.blogspot.com/2009/11/finding-friday-create-and-pass-out-pass_06.html
Friday, October 30, 2009
What I can do
I realize this is some duplicate information from the previous post, but this is just a reminder of what we need to do to help this credit become permanent.
Help Make the Current Federal Adoption Credit Permanent by Writing to your Representative
Here is how:
1. Find the name and Washington, D.C. mailing address of your Representative and Senators at www.congress.org. To find e-mail addresses, click through to the Senator’s or Congressperson’s Web site.
SENATOR KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON - Website: hutchison.senate.gov
Washington DC Office
284 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-4304
202-224-5922
202-224-0776 (FAX)
202-224-5903 (TDD)
Senator John Cornyn - Website: cornyn.senate.gov
Washington DC
517 Hart Senate Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20510
Main: 202-224-2934
Fax: 202-228-2856
2. Next, log on to http://thomas.loc.gov/ to find out whether your Congresspersons are already co-sponsors of the legislation. On the thomas.loc.gov opening page, under “Search Bill Summary and Status,” search by bill number for H.R. 213. Then click on “Bill summary and Status.” On the page that comes up, click on “Cosponsors,” “Text of Legislation,” or “All Congressional Actions” to follow the progress of the bill.
3. If your representatives have not signed on as co-sponsors of the bill, send them your request that they do so. Tell them how important the tax credit was to you when you adopted your children, or how much you and other families you know are counting on it to be available in the future.
Act today, your efforts make a difference.
Help Make the Current Federal Adoption Credit Permanent by Writing to your Representative
Here is how:
1. Find the name and Washington, D.C. mailing address of your Representative and Senators at www.congress.org. To find e-mail addresses, click through to the Senator’s or Congressperson’s Web site.
SENATOR KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON - Website: hutchison.senate.gov
Washington DC Office
284 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-4304
202-224-5922
202-224-0776 (FAX)
202-224-5903 (TDD)
Senator John Cornyn - Website: cornyn.senate.gov
Washington DC
517 Hart Senate Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20510
Main: 202-224-2934
Fax: 202-228-2856
2. Next, log on to http://thomas.loc.gov/ to find out whether your Congresspersons are already co-sponsors of the legislation. On the thomas.loc.gov opening page, under “Search Bill Summary and Status,” search by bill number for H.R. 213. Then click on “Bill summary and Status.” On the page that comes up, click on “Cosponsors,” “Text of Legislation,” or “All Congressional Actions” to follow the progress of the bill.
3. If your representatives have not signed on as co-sponsors of the bill, send them your request that they do so. Tell them how important the tax credit was to you when you adopted your children, or how much you and other families you know are counting on it to be available in the future.
Act today, your efforts make a difference.
RAISE YOUR VOICE TO ENSURE THE ADOPTION TAX CREDIT REMAINS PERMANENT
A CALL TO ACTION
RAISE YOUR VOICE TO ENSURE THE ADOPTION TAX CREDIT REMAINS PERMANENT
Private and independent domestic adoptions can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $40,000, and expenses for intercountry adoptions generally total between $7,000 and $40,000. Domestic adoptions out of foster care are typically much less expensive, usually costing the adoptive parent $2,500 or less.
Congress introduced the Adoption Promotion and Stability Act in 1996 to “help families defray adoption costs.”
Unfortunately, while the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act (EGTRRA) made the adoption tax credit permanent, the provisions which raised the amount that adoptive families can claim and increased the income eligibility phase-out range will sunset on December 31, 2010. Thus, beginning in 2011, the amount adoptive parents will be able to claim under the adoption tax credit will revert to the pre-EGTRRA levels of $6,000 per special needs child and $5,000 per non-special needs child. Additionally, adoptive families reporting $75,000-$115,000 in annual adjusted gross income will again be restricted in the amount they can claim, and those reporting more than $115,000 in annual adjusted gross income will again be prohibited from claiming the tax credit at all. Several bills have been introduced in Congress to repeal the sunset and make the EGTRRA reforms of the adoption tax credit permanent.
At the center of this debate is a recent Treasury Report which found that parents who adopted children internationally account for a disproportionately large number of adoption tax credit recipients, while parents who adopted children from foster care represent a disproportionately small number. More specifically, international adoptions accounted for 34 percent of all adoptions supported by the tax credit despite making up only 15 percent of all adoptions in the United States, while domestic adoptions out of foster care made up 18 percent of adoptions supported by the tax credit despite making up nearly 40 percent of all adoptions in the United States. This finding has led some to claim that the adoption tax credit is not fulfilling a primary goal of promoting domestic adoptions out of foster care. Some advocates have suggested that the federal government should therefore eliminate the adoption tax credit and redistribute the funds saved to other pro-adoption programs.
The Adoption Promotion and Stability Act of 1996 had two purposes, first among which was “to defray adoption costs for families seeking to adopt” by establishing the adoption tax credit. The bill made no distinction between adoptions out of foster care and any other type of adoption.
Increasing subsidies to adoptive parents has been one of the most effective ways of boosting the adoption rate.
Most importantly, the EGTRRA provisions to the adoption tax credit due to expire in 2011 should be made permanent.
For 2009, the maximum adoption credit has increased to $12,150. This amount is phased out if your modified adjusted gross income is between $182,180 and $222,180. You cannot claim the credit or exclusion if your modified AGI is $222,180 or more.
For information on Special Needs Adoption Tax Credit for 2009 go to www.nacac,org/postadopt/taxcredit.html.
To take the credit or exclusion, complete Form 8839 (PDF), Qualified Adoption Expenses, and attach the form to your Form 1040 (PDF) or Form 1040A (PDF).
See irs.gov (topic 607 adoption credit)
“The Adoption Tax Relief Guarantee Act of 2009, H.R. 213.” Written to repeal the sunset of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 with respect to the expansion of the adoption credit and adoption assistance programs. This legislation will make the tax credit permanent. Unless legislation is passed, the Federal adoption tax credit that allows many adopting families to take a credit of up to $12,150 (2009) is scheduled to expire in December 2010. (For information on other legislation involving adoption go to adoptioncouncil.org/policy/fed_leg.html.)
Help Make the Current Federal Adoption Credit Permanent by Writing to your Representative
Here is how:
1. Find the name and Washington, D.C. mailing address of your Representative and Senators at www.congress.org. To find e-mail addresses, click through to the Senator’s or Congressperson’s Web site.
2. Next, log on to http://thomas.loc.gov/ to find out whether your Congresspersons are already co-sponsors of the legislation. On the thomas.loc.gov opening page, under “Search Bill Summary and Status,” search by bill number for H.R. 213. Then click on “Bill summary and Status.” On the page that comes up, click on “Cosponsors,” “Text of Legislation,” or “All Congressional Actions” to follow the progress of the bill.
3. If your representatives have not signed on as co-sponsors of the bill, send them your request that they do so. Tell them how important the tax credit was to you when you adopted your children, or how much you and other families you know are counting on it to be available in the future.
Act today, your efforts make a difference.
RAISE YOUR VOICE TO ENSURE THE ADOPTION TAX CREDIT REMAINS PERMANENT
Private and independent domestic adoptions can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $40,000, and expenses for intercountry adoptions generally total between $7,000 and $40,000. Domestic adoptions out of foster care are typically much less expensive, usually costing the adoptive parent $2,500 or less.
Congress introduced the Adoption Promotion and Stability Act in 1996 to “help families defray adoption costs.”
Unfortunately, while the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act (EGTRRA) made the adoption tax credit permanent, the provisions which raised the amount that adoptive families can claim and increased the income eligibility phase-out range will sunset on December 31, 2010. Thus, beginning in 2011, the amount adoptive parents will be able to claim under the adoption tax credit will revert to the pre-EGTRRA levels of $6,000 per special needs child and $5,000 per non-special needs child. Additionally, adoptive families reporting $75,000-$115,000 in annual adjusted gross income will again be restricted in the amount they can claim, and those reporting more than $115,000 in annual adjusted gross income will again be prohibited from claiming the tax credit at all. Several bills have been introduced in Congress to repeal the sunset and make the EGTRRA reforms of the adoption tax credit permanent.
At the center of this debate is a recent Treasury Report which found that parents who adopted children internationally account for a disproportionately large number of adoption tax credit recipients, while parents who adopted children from foster care represent a disproportionately small number. More specifically, international adoptions accounted for 34 percent of all adoptions supported by the tax credit despite making up only 15 percent of all adoptions in the United States, while domestic adoptions out of foster care made up 18 percent of adoptions supported by the tax credit despite making up nearly 40 percent of all adoptions in the United States. This finding has led some to claim that the adoption tax credit is not fulfilling a primary goal of promoting domestic adoptions out of foster care. Some advocates have suggested that the federal government should therefore eliminate the adoption tax credit and redistribute the funds saved to other pro-adoption programs.
The Adoption Promotion and Stability Act of 1996 had two purposes, first among which was “to defray adoption costs for families seeking to adopt” by establishing the adoption tax credit. The bill made no distinction between adoptions out of foster care and any other type of adoption.
Increasing subsidies to adoptive parents has been one of the most effective ways of boosting the adoption rate.
Most importantly, the EGTRRA provisions to the adoption tax credit due to expire in 2011 should be made permanent.
For 2009, the maximum adoption credit has increased to $12,150. This amount is phased out if your modified adjusted gross income is between $182,180 and $222,180. You cannot claim the credit or exclusion if your modified AGI is $222,180 or more.
For information on Special Needs Adoption Tax Credit for 2009 go to www.nacac,org/postadopt/taxcredit.html.
To take the credit or exclusion, complete Form 8839 (PDF), Qualified Adoption Expenses, and attach the form to your Form 1040 (PDF) or Form 1040A (PDF).
See irs.gov (topic 607 adoption credit)
“The Adoption Tax Relief Guarantee Act of 2009, H.R. 213.” Written to repeal the sunset of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 with respect to the expansion of the adoption credit and adoption assistance programs. This legislation will make the tax credit permanent. Unless legislation is passed, the Federal adoption tax credit that allows many adopting families to take a credit of up to $12,150 (2009) is scheduled to expire in December 2010. (For information on other legislation involving adoption go to adoptioncouncil.org/policy/fed_leg.html.)
Help Make the Current Federal Adoption Credit Permanent by Writing to your Representative
Here is how:
1. Find the name and Washington, D.C. mailing address of your Representative and Senators at www.congress.org. To find e-mail addresses, click through to the Senator’s or Congressperson’s Web site.
2. Next, log on to http://thomas.loc.gov/ to find out whether your Congresspersons are already co-sponsors of the legislation. On the thomas.loc.gov opening page, under “Search Bill Summary and Status,” search by bill number for H.R. 213. Then click on “Bill summary and Status.” On the page that comes up, click on “Cosponsors,” “Text of Legislation,” or “All Congressional Actions” to follow the progress of the bill.
3. If your representatives have not signed on as co-sponsors of the bill, send them your request that they do so. Tell them how important the tax credit was to you when you adopted your children, or how much you and other families you know are counting on it to be available in the future.
Act today, your efforts make a difference.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Dallas FSA
The Dallas FSA is sponsering a conference on November 6th and 7th. We have been invited to come. Please check out their website http://dallastexasfsa.blogspot.com/ if you are interested.
Also, please leave a comment if you will be able to make it to our celebration on November 21st. We are trying to get a head count.
Thanks
Also, please leave a comment if you will be able to make it to our celebration on November 21st. We are trying to get a head count.
Thanks
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Mark your calendars!
November is National Adoption month! We are planning an activity on Saturday, November 21st from 11-1. More details to come, but we will have lunch and activities for the kids.
The church building address is:
12310 New Hampton Dr TOMBALL, TEXAS
It is located on North Eldridge parkway between Spring-Cypress and Louetta.
We will be collecting the following items for the Ronald McDonald House in Houston if you are willing to donate, please bring these items with you that day.
Paper towels
Trash bags: 13 gallon tall and 45 gallon
Clorox Bleach
Era liquid laundry detergent
Thanks!
The church building address is:
12310 New Hampton Dr TOMBALL, TEXAS
It is located on North Eldridge parkway between Spring-Cypress and Louetta.
We will be collecting the following items for the Ronald McDonald House in Houston if you are willing to donate, please bring these items with you that day.
Paper towels
Trash bags: 13 gallon tall and 45 gallon
Clorox Bleach
Era liquid laundry detergent
Thanks!
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Adoption day!
So this past week we celebrated 2 years since our first son was placed in our arms. I think in the adoption world some call it "gotcha day". Does anyone celebrate that day? If so, what types of things do you do?
Monday, September 28, 2009
Welcome to the FSA blog
We are so excited to introduce the FSA Houston Chapter blog! We hope this blog will be a source of information, encouragement, and news for all of us connected to adoption. We think this will be a great way to share our experiences and advice with each other, stay connected, and even make some new friends.
Each week, we will have a topic related to adoption. Please share your thoughts, experiences, and comments with us in the comment section. This week, we are taking ideas on questions, concerns, and ideas you would like to know more about.
We have also posted links to some websites that you may find useful. Feel free to let us know about any other helpful websites you have found.
Thanks to all those who help make FSA great!
Each week, we will have a topic related to adoption. Please share your thoughts, experiences, and comments with us in the comment section. This week, we are taking ideas on questions, concerns, and ideas you would like to know more about.
We have also posted links to some websites that you may find useful. Feel free to let us know about any other helpful websites you have found.
Thanks to all those who help make FSA great!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)