topic Adoption not finalized in Get your taxes done using TurboTax

Adoption not finalized

Phxdonald — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 11:02:06 GMT

We are in the process of finalizing the adoption of our son who was born on August 22, 2022. We have placement, and legal guardianship, but it has not been finalized with the courts and he does not yet have an SSN. Do I still list him as our adopted son in TurboTax 2022? Can I claim any of his living expenses? I believe I have to wait until next year to claim adoption expenses, right?

Re: Adoption not finalized

xmasbaby0 — Sat, 07 Jan 2023 20:43:27 GMT

You can never claim "living expenses" for a child--adopted or not. If you do not have the child's SSN by the April filing deadline, then get an extension until mid-October to allow you enough time to get the SSN. You want to wait to file and claim your child with his SSN to get the child-related credits.

Re: Adoption not finalized

Critter-3 — Sat, 07 Jan 2023 20:51:42 GMT

If you file without the child and amend later to add them then you forfeit most of the child releated credits ... so put yourself on extension and wait.

Re: Adoption not finalized

Critter-3 — Sat, 07 Jan 2023 20:53:33 GMT

Do I still list him as our adopted son in TurboTax 2022? YES

Can I claim any of his living expenses? NO

I believe I have to wait until next year to claim adoption expenses, right? Correct ... all the expenses paid in 2022 & 2023 will be claimed on the 2023 return only.