BERNIER PROPOSES TAX CREDIT FOR ADOPTION
Tuesday, September 20th, 2011 -- 11:41 AM
An area state lawmaker wants to provide an incentive for adoption.Under a bill being circulated by Rep. Kathy Bernier of Chippewa Falls, households that choose to adopt a child could qualify for a $5,000 tax credit to offset adoption fees, court costs and related legal fees.
"It's very expensive to adopt," notes Bernier, "and I know a lot of families that want to give a good home to a child that's in need of a good home. It will just help out a little bit with the cost of adopting."
State officials say there are many different categories of adoption, so it?s hard to quantify the number of adoptions in Wisconsin every year.
Bernier?s bill would cap the incentive at $500,000 per year over the next two years, and put in place some income limits.
"There's no tax break for households that make more than $222,500," she explains.
The bill is awaiting a hearing and has the support Assembly Majority Leader Scott Suder, who has pledged to move this bill through the legislature for a vote.
Bernier represents the 68th Assembly District, which will encompass most of western Clark County when redistricting takes effect in 2013.
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