Do I need to file for adoption tax credit if my tax liability is below zero?

[DanielV01 · Accepted solution]

No, you don't have to, but you probably want to.  The adoption credit is a nonrefundable credit, which means that if your taxes are already zero, you will not receive additional credit for claiming it.  However, if not used, the adoption credit carries forward for 5 years until it is used or lost after 5 years.  Since the credit can be worth up to $13,810 per child (and the full amount is granted automatically if the adoption was for a special needs child), it will be worth your effort to claim the credit now, because it must be claimed in the year the adoption is finalized.

[the-knight-befor]

Am I able to then go back 2 years and file the adoption credit? If so, how?

[DanielV01]

Yes.  To do so you will need to file amended returns.  To get good instructions on this, I suggest you post an additional question so that you can receive step-by-step instructions.