LAC 61:I.1929 — Private Adoption of Certain Infants Deduction

A. General.
1. Revised Statute 47:297.21 authorizes a deduction equal to $5,000, per infant, from tax table income for the resident(s) who legally adopt an infant who is unrelated to the taxpayer(s) and who is less than one year of age through a private agency as defined in Louisiana Children's Code Article 1169(1), or through an attorney. The infant shall be considered less than one year of age for purposes of this deduction if the infant was less than one year of age at the time of the adoption placement.
a. A taxpayer is considered “unrelated” to the infant if they are not the infant’s parent, stepparent, grandparent, brother, sister, uncle, or aunt, whether of the whole or half blood or by adoption.
B. Claiming the Deduction
1. The taxpayer claiming the private adoption of certain infants’ deduction must be listed as an adoptive parent on the adoption order or decree. Taxpayers may claim the adoption deduction according to their filing status as follows:
a. If filing single, married filing separately, qualifying widow(er), or head of household then only one taxpayer may claim the adoption credit on their return if two taxpayers are listed as the adoptive parent. The deduction may not be divided between the adoptive parents and can only be claimed by the taxpayer that is claiming the child as a dependent on their federal individual income tax return.
b. If filing married filing jointly then the deduction may only be claimed on the return of the individual who is listed as an adoptive parent on the adoption order or decree. The deduction may not be divided between the adoptive parents and can only be claimed by the taxpayer that is claiming the child as a dependent on their federal individual income tax return.
2. The taxpayer claiming the private adoption of certain infants’ deduction must attach the following to the taxpayer’s individual income tax return for the taxable year that the adoption is finalized:
a. a copy of the adoption order or decree; and
b. a letter from the attorney who facilitated the adoption or private agency stating when the infant was placed with the adoptive parents.
C. Limitations
1. The adoption tax deduction shall be in lieu of the dependency deduction authorized in R.S. 47:294.
2. The amount of the deduction authorized by R.S. 47:297.20 shall not exceed the total tax table income of the taxpayer claiming the deduction.