Financial Planning for Your Future
Adoption asks for your time, your commitment, and your financial preparation. In return, it gives your child safety, belonging, stability, family traditions, birthday mornings, holiday memories, bedtime routines, encouragement through hard days, and people who will stand beside them for life.
New Increases to the Federal Adoption Tax Credit
The Federal Adoption Tax Credit continues to make adoption more financially accessible for families, and recent updates for 2026 bring meaningful improvements that can reduce out-of-pocket costs for adoptive parents.
For the 2026 tax year, the maximum Adoption Tax Credit has increased to $17,670 per child. Families adopting siblings may claim the full credit amount for each child, which can create substantial financial relief during the adoption process.
Another major update is the return of partial refundability. This change helps families who may not have enough federal tax liability to fully use the credit under previous rules. Eligible families may now receive a refund check of up to $5,000 for 2025 or up to $5,120 for 2026, even if they do not owe that amount in federal taxes.
These updates reflect growing national support for adoptive families and provide another pathway for families working to bring their child home. Combined with grants, employer benefits, fundraising, and community support, the Adoption Tax Credit can play an important role in making adoption financially achievable.