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New Member
posted Jun 4, 2019 6:43:43 PM

Can I deduct $2500 paid to my lawyer last year that was for the adoption of my wife's child that born 02/2018?

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1 Best answer
New Member
Jun 4, 2019 6:43:45 PM

No.  You can generally only deduct attorney's fees if they relate to your business or the production of income.

You can add attorney's fees in qualifying expenses in an adoption to get the adoption credit, but NOT if it is a stepchild or the child of your spouse.  

According to the IRS,  the adoption tax credit does NOT apply to stepparent adoption.

 See publication #968 at the IRS website

1 Replies
New Member
Jun 4, 2019 6:43:45 PM

No.  You can generally only deduct attorney's fees if they relate to your business or the production of income.

You can add attorney's fees in qualifying expenses in an adoption to get the adoption credit, but NOT if it is a stepchild or the child of your spouse.  

According to the IRS,  the adoption tax credit does NOT apply to stepparent adoption.

 See publication #968 at the IRS website