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I hope this helps someone else out there. In California it takes 9-10 months to get a permanent birth certificate and social security number after an adoption is finalized. You MUST have a social security number to file for any federal/state tax credit on pending adoptions or finalized adoptions.
If you do not have a SS# you MUST fill out a W7 (Application For Taxpayer ID Number )or W7A(Application For Taxpayer ID Number Pending Adoptions), both of which take approximately 4-8 WEEKS. The W7A number is good for two years, and is used for pending adoptions. If you file a W7 you can file it with your tax return, but NOT Electronically! This can delay tax returns for a long time.
If we had know this sooner we'd have filed for a W7A (Adoption pending) tax id number months ago. Now we have to walk in the W7 with our taxes, and supporting adoption documentation to an IRS Tax Payer Assistance Center (over an hour away) and hope for the best timewise for our refund.
However you cannot use ATIN (W7/W7A) for Earned Income credit. You have to later file and amended tax return if you want, and qualify for E.I.C.
I hope this helps someone! I sure wish I had know this two months ago!
Inga
Lily Rose's Mom
Tax Preparer for the Family