Vanvcouver, B.C. - Adoption Tax Credit and No News is Not Good News

To those visiting from Kate's blog my location is Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.  I like Kate's topic this week as it will be interesting to see if there are other people locally following Lucy's blog.  Kate, if you and Eric and the kids are ever up this way, please let me know.  I'd love to show you around!

To those following my journey my home study update is still stalled at my local agency.  I haven't heard that they have passed it on to the agency in Toronto, despite asking them to let me know when they did this, and they have had it for over a week!  The agency in Toronto requires this update to move ahead!   Eye-yah!!!!!!    I getting very good at twiddling my thumbs!!!!!!  I have done every part of the process I have control over and can't do any more.  I try to believe that my local agency has some interest in helping me become a parent. although I don't want to admit to the world what I really think!   It doesn't take me very long to fix any ypos in my report cards that my principal catches, so I can't believe that to change a number  (age of child) and a date on a letter takes a great length of time.  I paid significant stage two fees for something, for what - isn't quite clear to me yet.  It is very hard to be stalled and all I can do is hope for the families down there now and those waiting to travel that everything goes ahead.  Their success in bringing a child or children home I hope will pave the way for future successes.   I look forward to sharing the success of  the first single parent.  She went to court yesterday but will be another three weeks before she is home.  I think I will literally kiss the ground at Toronto airport and hug the customs agent when I arrive home.  If I am every successful in this process, I think I have an idea for a second job!  There are presently no services in what I am thinking of doing and although I don't want to make money off the backs of people in my situation, Lord knows we have already paid enough fees, I feel there is a need for it.

There are so many children growing up in orphanages around the world that one has to wonder just why international adoption has become so hard.  If you have a reason why, I'd love to hear it.  I have two, UNICEF and suspected child trafficking. 

I also wonder how one can tell or share about the adoption process without offending people and sharing very personal information, however I am at a point where I feel like telling it all.  Dr. Phil, I have a topic for you!  I have told a few people, friends, colleagues and their eyes pop out of their heads and I haven't even come close to the expensive part of the process!!!!  Very few people know the financial never mind emotional costs of adoption and this is seldom talked about.   Do you think this is something people should share?  I wonder if it would garner support for those of us in the process. 

 A petition was started for equal EI benefits for adoptive parents.  I think one should be started for the adoption tax credit.  The  Canadian Adoption Tax Credit is crappy!  From reading the website the credit is non-refundable.  This means you only get money back if you owe the government money, and then it is only that amount.  If you are already getting a refund then the credit amounts to a big, fat, zero!  Remember folks, the government doesn't give away money!  I emailed our premier about this last May and got no answer.  A take this as a direct indication of her "Families First" policy.  Oh, for a few minutes of her time.   In Quebec I believe their tax credit is refundable!  See their info.   The refund is 50% of the expenses up to a maximum of $10,000.  My 50% is already very nicely over $10,000 and  I have a second trip to find a child at some point and then a 6 week to go to court.  I am thinking the $10,000 credit in Quebec will be more like 10% by the time I'm done!   I would be most interested to hear what the adoption tax credit like in your area.  I think adoptive families don't fight this tax credit issue as by the time you get home with your child you are so emotionally, physically and financially spent, not to mention relieved the process is complete and you have your LONG awaited child, that fighting the tax credit is the last thing on one's mind!