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Adoption Tax Credit Calculator (2026, Form 8839)

Estimate your adoption credit after the income phase-out, including the refundable portion.

Tax & Payroll

Preparing your result…

What this calculator does

Estimates the 2026 adoption credit.

What your result means

Credit after MAGI phase-out.

Formula

Credit = base × (1 − min(1, max(0, MAGI − $265,080) ÷ 40,000)); base = $17,670 if special needs, otherwise min(expenses, $17,670)

The step-by-step working for your own numbers appears with the result above and in the PDF report.

Frequently asked questions

Symbols and assumptions

QAE
Qualified adoption expenses
  • Tax year 2026 figures from IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32 unless stated.
  • $17,670 max; phase-out $265,080–$305,080; $5,120 refundable.

Sources and review

Reviewed 2026-09-23 · Next review 2027-01-15

  • Timing rules and employer-assistance exclusion not modelled.
  • Federal only — state and local taxes are excluded.
  • Rules change annually; figures apply to tax year 2026 only.
  • Educational estimate, not tax advice.

Important limitation

This is an educational estimate based only on the values and formula shown. Verify current rates, rules, units, and professional standards before relying on the result. It is not personalized financial or investment advice.

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