I get the figures for Ukraine here: http://www.reecesrainbow.org/hivee.html ($24K + $4K additional child from same orphanage). Reece’s Rainbow is the best way I have found to adopt HIV+ children from this country.

I got the figures for Ethiopia from the Yahoo HIV Adoption group. I made an inquiry with the group and a couple of different families got back to me about their total costs for adopting 2 children (at least one of which had HIV). I took the average from those 2 figures (which were in the same ballpark). However, that was before Ethiopia was a 2 trip program, so chances are good that costs are now higher than when I wrote this blog post.

Great news! I believe you will be refunded for all of your adoption expenses (up to the amount mentioned in the post) excluding grant money. I think a loan is considered an out of pocket expense because you need to pay that back, which comes out of your pocket Grant money does not come out of your pocket, it comes out of the organization’s pocket. Here is a further explanation about a non-refundable tax credit (what the adoption tax credit was in 2009 and previous years) vs a refundable tax credit (for adoptions finalized in 2010 and 2011).
http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/02/12/refundable-vs-non-refundable-income-tax-credits/

I have been trying to figure this adoption tax credit out for a LONG time and it looks like you may be able to help me.

My husband is a pastor, therefore is considered self-employed, and we have little “taxable” income. From what I’ve heard, we wouldn’t have been able to benefit from the tax credit as it was last year…but we may be able to from the revision.

Also, we will not be able to pay out-of-pocket for our adoption. We will be taking an interest-free loan and applying for grants (unless God supplies ALL of the money). Would we be able to get the “refund” to apply towards out loan, even though we didn’t pay “out-of-pocket”?

Thanks for your insight.

Christie