Adoption Tax Credit - Partial Saga

Nov 15th - I just spent the last 2 hours on the phone with the IRS. First number I called was 800.829.1040; they told me that my adoption tax credit had been transferred to the examination department. The agent told me that most adoption tax credits are sent to the examination department because so many people scam the adoption tax credit. How is it possible you fake adoption decrees? Fake judicial signatures and stamps?

But bygones, the examination department's number is 866.897.0161. In the midst of me finally talking to an agent, we get disconnected and the IRS only had my home number- - NOOOOOO!!!!!! I'm at work. I called back and praise God, the second agent worked with the first agent and she transferred me back.

The first agent told me that I had been sent a letter on the 10th and that my credit had been denied because the IRS couldn't understand how my adoption tax credit carry forward was calculated for 2010. I explained to the agent that the amount came from my 1040Xs and while she saw they had been received, she told me to either fax and/or mail them in again and that she would send a note to the person handling my file.

So now I'm writing my fax cover sheet and sending it out.

My advice is to give your phone number to the agent before you say anything just in case you get disconnected.

Dec 15 – I got a letter from the IRS requesting more paperwork. They want to know how H & R block got the carry forward number in 2010. Happy Happy Joy Joy!! I immediately scan the documents send them to my H & R Block tax representative. He calls me and sets up an appointment. Nothing like still dealing with your taxes that you mailed in on April 15th during Christmas.

He explains everything he printed out everything, how he recalculated the numbers, and says the carry forward number is correct. I asked if this will be the last thing, I will have to send to the IRS. He told me, no, and that he thought the next step would be them being nitpicky about the numbers on lines. He also tells me that each time my case is moved to another department, each department is scrutinizing my paperwork more and needing more paperwork to answer their department’s questions.

He also informs me that his boss is unhappy with the 20 hours he’s spent on my case since his district isn’t getting paid for it, since I paid another district. He tells me that if I have any more questions, I should start working with someone in the district I paid. I remind him of how I worked with three different tax consultants before finally getting to him. He tells me it was because it was the off-season and that wouldn’t happen now. I don’t believe him so I just nod.

He tells me he brought my situation up in a tax class along with two other adoption tax credit cases he had. He said the teacher of the class told him that at first the IRS was giving returns to anyone who applied, but when they saw the volume of people applying for the credit, they started auditing families. Damn me for waiting until April to file.


Dec 28 – I mail the copies of forms that the IRS asked for. I hope waiting after the Christmas rush insures it gets there safely.

Dec 29 – I get a letter from the IRS saying on January 9, they will call me. Interesting that they can call me when I just mailed in documents they requested.

Jan 25 - I call the IRS to see if they have my paperwork I sent before the New Year’s. The helpful agent informed me she couldn’t open my file completely, but she did see that I sent something in in November. I explain that I had faxed something in in November, but I wanted to make sure the IRS had the documents I recently sent in.

She tells me that they could have been attached to the paperwork I sent in in December, she wasn’t sure. I ask if I should fax in the copies of the forms requested. She tells me it couldn’t hurt and to make sure I put my SSN at the top of every page.

I nicely explain to her when I sent my tax returns in and how this had been ongoing since April. She tells me she knows and that it is taking up to a year or longer to get a refund. A year or longer?!?! She rechecks my file and says it looks like everything I need is in and if it’s not, the IRS would contact me.

She explains that depending on where my paperwork is, it gets seen based on what’s going on in that department. She is currently working on paperwork that came in in November, but some offices are working earlier months and some are working later months. And if an office gets a special assignment that of course will take precedence.

I tell her that I will fax in the paperwork I mailed in December. She tells me she will make a note of it in my file. I ask when I should call back. She says to call back in a month, and then she gives me the number for the IRS tax advocate.

I thank her.

Jan 30 – I fax in the paperwork I mailed in December 28.

Feb 6 – I see the IRS tax advocate number staring up at me. It can’t hurt to call. What do I have to lose? I call and only wait on hold for eight minutes. I get transfer quickly from the woman who answered the phone to a kind gentleman. I give him a condense version of what’s been going on recently and ask if he could possible help me.

He apologizes and tells me that they were told to review adoption tax credits for 2010.
He looks up my file and says, yes, he did see my various phone conversations with the IRS and that I sent in the information requested. And he couldn’t help me because they approved my credit on Thursday. PRAISE GOD! I felt myself tearing up and I didn’t cry when I got the call about any of my kids, but I was about to cry about this.

He says it usually takes about two weeks to get the check out. I could have kissed him. Call me cynical, but until I have that check in my hand I won’t really believe it. Though I did spring for chesseburgers, fries, and Cokes for myself and my friend and co-worker, Deedee, because I was so happy.

I’ll contact H & R Block once I have the check. God is so good! Even though I don’t deserve it all still He keeps on giving to me!

This nightmare might really be almost over. Here’s the tax advocate number 877.777.4778.

For those still waiting, best of luck! And for those who are filing for 2011, I hope the process is much smoother this time around.