The Cost of Adoption

One thing that is often said to us is "We would love to adopt children, but we just cannot afford to." In some cases this appears to be an excuse, because "everyone knows how expensive an adoption is." However, in many cases I think it comes from a lack of investigation. With tax credits and deductions for the adoption expenses, our combined bill for adopting eight children will be under $6,000. Based on the current laws for tax credits, that amount would be very near zero if we started the same adoptions today.

So some people would say "how does that work?" First when adopting, the federal government gives you a tax credit of up to $10,000 for any expenses you had for adoption. This is a credit not a deduction, meaning that it goes to pay your tax bill not just reduce your income. The credit is only good for taxes you actually owe, but it does roll over for up to five years meaning that, unless you income is real low, you will eventually get the money back. Now a foreign adoption will usually run more than $10,000. However, since the $10,000 is per child, adopting two children at the same time will double you credit, but usually not double your cost, since some costs such as your travel do not double with two. When all is said and done, this will often reduce your cost to $0 over a period of several years. The main problem being getting the cash to complete the adoption and then waiting for several years to get the costs back.

Also, most states usually give you some form of deduction for adoption expenses.

Besides tax incentives , there are ways to reduce the cost of an adoption. If you are adventurous, there are ways to do foreign adoptions without an agency. This greatly reduces fees. Often agencies will reduce or waive some fees for special needs children or sibling groups. Also, there are often special circumstances where others are willing to pay most of the costs. One of our adoptions only cost about $400, though that was a very unusual circumstance.

We have also seen many people adopt with monies given by family, their church, or others. Sometimes just by direct gifts because of the need, and other times through active fundraising efforts on the part of the adoptive parents.

All in all, cost should not be a hinderance, if you are willing to investigate the costs and be creative both in reducing costs and raising money.

Remember that God has unlimited resources, and can provide in many ways. In each of our adoptions He has provided for the costs in unique ways. We have often gone forward not knowing where exactly all of the money would come from. In a couple of cases, we simply committed to take the next step, and then to waiting to see if He would provide the rest. Through it all, He has provided.

Tomorrow, I will discuss the ongoing costs of raising the child.