Deducting Medical Expenses Archives | Peavy and Associates, PC

An increasing number of individuals are caring for elderly parents and the costs can add up. Many people overlook the deduction when filing their income taxes. There is definitely an elderly care tax credit, but it represents a highly complicated set of rules. Unlike most credits, the individual doesn’t have to qualify as a dependent, but they can be.

Eligible Costs

In 2021, you could claim up to $4,000 in elderly care costs for one individual and up to $8,000 when caring for two people or more. Costs can include medications, medical care, exams, therapy, and mental health support.

Expenses can also encompass meals and household services, along with qualifying long-term care services. Dental care, transportation, recreational activities may also qualify. There are very specific rules governing whether you can claim it.

Who Qualifies?

The person being claimed must have lived with you for at least six months during the year. They must be physically or mentally unable to care for themselves. Only one sibling may claim the deduction, and the parent must be a legal resident, U.S. resident alien, U.S. national, a resident of Canada or Mexico, the Republic of Panama, or the Canal Zone. They’ll also need valid ID and Social Security number.

In-Home Care

Your parent’s gross income must be less than $4,300. You may also claim an elderly care credit if you hire an in-home caregiver. If you plan on claiming the credit, it’s best to consult with a tax accountant to determine if you’re eligible and if specific conditions and costs qualify.

Seniors and Spouses

If you’re a senior residing in an assisted living or long-term care facility, you may be able to claim a variety of deductions. IRS rules are different for individuals claiming the expenses for themselves vs. a child claiming the deductions for a parent. There are also precise rules for spouses. The rules are complicated and will also depend on who is actually paying the costs.

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Everyone wants to lower their tax burden by getting every possible deduction to which they’re entitled and medical expenses is one way to accomplish that. However, individuals must itemize to claim the deduction and much will depend on an individual’s income. Claiming medical expense deductions is beneficial if the amount of the deductions exceeds the standard deduction on income taxes.

What can be Deducted?

The IRS enables taxpayers to deduct unreimbursed medical, dental, vision, and mental health expenses for themselves, a spouse and dependents, up to 7.5 percent of their adjusted gross income. Those expenses can include diagnostics, mitigation, treatment and cures, along with preventative measures. Individuals can also deduct travel expenses.

The COVID-19 pandemic has left many individuals with astronomical medical bills. Some private insurance companies have pledged to cover all COVID-19 expenses, while others have not. Taxpayers that rely on Medicaid and Medicare for medical care may have co-pays and spend-downs that they can claim.

There are a great many expenses that taxpayers can deduct if they’re itemizing deductions, up to 7.5 percent of their adjusted gross income. They include fees to a wide range of medical and mental health professionals, including surgeons, dentists, chiropractors, psychiatrists and psychologists, and non-traditional medical practitioners.

Wide Range of Deductions

Other expenses include oral and injectable prescription medications, weight loss programs prescribed by a doctor, and in-patient costs for drug, alcohol and nicotine addiction. Nursing home costs, insurance premiums, and medical aids such as crutches, wheelchairs, dentures and even service dogs are all allowable expenses.

The range of medical-related expenses that can be deducted is extensive, but there are also restrictions on what can be claimed. For taxpayers with substantial costs, it can be beneficial to claim those deductions. The best solution for those intending to claim medical expense deductions is engaging the services of a tax professional or certified public accountant (CPA) that has the experience, knowledge and resources to help them get every deduction to which they’re qualified.