What a great time for me to start blogging. Just in time for the dreaded tax preparation. If you are a foster or adoptive parent to a special needs child, you know that there are many deductions to take, but the process of recording everything is time consuming. I like getting my refund, but the gathering process is tedious and just annoys me.



Let’s discuss some of the deductions that you should be talking to your tax preparer about. Note: I am NOT in the tax business, so be sure to talk to a professional about the legal aspects of deductions.

Non-Covered medical expenses-
Gathering your Explanation of Benefits or EOB that you receive from your insurance company will be a good place to start. In my former life I was an insurance agent for 10 years, I’m used to reading these. If you need help reading them, ask your insurance agent. It will show any amounts not covered by insurance, such as co-pays, deductibles, or just plain old non-covered items like vitamins or any supplements you are using.

Medical mileage-
You may have known that you could deduct the expenses, but did you know you could deduct your mileage as well? If you’re being reimbursed by social services, you can not double dip. Keep track of your mileage spent going to and from doctor visits, and to pharmacies to pick up prescriptions.

Continuing education-
Foster parents are required to complete a certain amount of continuing education each year. This varies by state. Costs of continuing education seminars, mileage, and lodging and meal costs for these events may be deducted.

Magazines or trade materials-
If you are receiving magazines like Fostering Families or Adoption Today, these may be deductible items. Each magazine has a quiz for continuing education in the back of it. As a foster parent, these may be considered part of your “job” and therefore deductible.

Phone calls-
Are you making phone calls to social services, or to birth families? Long distance charges, portions of your regular phone bill or your cell phone may be deductible. Again, if you are being reimbursed from social services for this, you may not double dip.

Adoption Expenses-
Adoption expenses are deductible, even if the adoption fell through. If you had expenses incurred for home studies, physicals, attorney fees, or travel expenses like lodging and meals for an out of state child, these may be deductible as well.

Let’s face it, we need all the help we can get with bills. Why not get the most out of a tax refund? Maybe you’ll get a big enough refund to take a week long vacation to someplace warm and sunny, without the kids. We can all dream, can’t we?