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Audit confirms state adoption tax credits meant for Missouri children being used for international adoptions instead

JEFFERSON CITY - An audit released by Missouri State Auditor Claire McCaskill shows that more than 90 percent of tax credits meant to help with the adoption of Missouri children, funded mostly international adoptions instead.

The tax credit, known as the Missouri Special Needs Adoption Tax Credit, is capped at $2 million. The credits are so popular that almost all of them are claimed within the first few weeks of availability.

While intended for Missouri children, nothing in the current law restricts the credit's ise to Missouri children. It is estimates however, if just counting the number of children in state custody that are considered special needs and needing a home, that number alone is well into the thousands.