ATIN question

January 25, 2005

My wife and I had an adoptive child placed with us back in October of 2004. The adoption will not be final until April of 2005. While I know we cannot claim the adoption expenses until it is final, I was wondering if we could claim the child as a dependant on our 2004 taxes?

We don't have the child's social security number but have sent in the paperwork to get an ATIN for him. Has anyone here ever used an ATIN to claim an unfinalized adoption child as a dependant?

Usually I am a patient person and would just wait for it to become final, but the difference in taxes is substantial (greater than $600). Plus we did provide for the child for the final two months of the year, so I don't think it's fair that we don't get to count him as dependant.

Thanks in advance.

wishing4more

January 25, 2005

Congratulations on your adoption!

I've used an ATIN and it works just like a SS# for tax purposes. Beware that it can take a long time to get the number in the mail. I'd call if it gets longer than 8 weeks. Good Luck!

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shylagirl

January 25, 2005

I' also used a ATIN. And like everything else it takes a while to get the number you can always call to speed it along. And you can definately use it to claim a dependent

boxersx4

January 27, 2005

Hello, we adopted our son in 2003, it was not finalized until 2004, and we could not use the adoption tax credit until this year when we do our taxes. You have to finalize before you can use it. Just thought I would share

Joyce

BuckarooBanzai

January 28, 2005

Get the ATIN. It will allow you to claim the dependant prior to finalization. We were placed in Oct '00 but finalized in July '01. Used the ATIN for the dependant in '00.

The ATIN is good for 2 years or until Finalization, whichever comes first. You can have the ATIN extended.

redhedded

January 28, 2005

SonofCh, Your child's adoption does not have to be finalized to take the credit, as long as he was born in the US. With an ATIN you can claim the tax credit the year he was placed with you. You must provide a copy of placement papers or guardianship papers to receive the ATIN. Warning: file now; it usually takes 4-8 for a number to be processed and received in the mail.