By Marc Chase in the Northwest Indiana Times:
Adoption is one of the most magical things one can experience. It enriches the lives of adopted children and adoptive parents in profound ways.
But the side of adoption lacking luster — keeping it from the reach of some otherwise worthy would-be adoptive parents — is the price tag, often in the tens of thousands of dollars in the Hoosier state.
For a family earning $100,000 a year or less, expenses associated with a typical adoption can equal a third or more of its annual income.
That's why a recent legislative proposal from Indiana Gov. Mike Pence — aimed at softening the blow of the exorbitant legal expenses of adoption — is so worthy of lawmakers' support.
Those who read my column with any regularity know I speak from experience. My wife, twin sons and I welcomed a beautiful baby girl into our home in June 2012 through adoption. My little Izzy and the happiness she carried with her are worth every penny we spent on the process.
Sadly, other less fortunate families abandon this dream because of the often prohibitive costs.
Some financial help for adoptive parents exists in the federal tax code through a 2014 tax credit of up to $13,190 for families earning $197,800 or less. The credit is for adoption-related expenses.
I don't agree with all of Pence's platforms, but I have to laud his proposal heading into 2014 for an Indiana adoption tax credit in line with the federal credit.
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http://www.nwitimes.com/news/opinion/columnists/marc-chase/marc-chase-pence-adoption-tax-credit-deserves-well-adoption/article_df0d6505-950a-5d0b-ac7f-6c79b63f9780.html
