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Weeone Asked May 2015

When medical expenses exceed 7% of your adjusted gross income, you can claim the expense on your tax return?

Is not the nursing home charges a medical expense? Not sure about this......

Clarise1 May 2015
Yes, absolutely. I had a few years where my medical was a tax deduction- premiums, office visits, meds; its worth the time to itemize. Also if a person is unable to perform 2 or more ADL (activities of daily life) then part of assisted living can be deducted as well.

COULDITBEME May 2015
Weeone: I was reading on Elderlawanswers website concerning medical deduction for nursing home charges being a medical expense. According to Elderlawanswers, you must the same as I previously posted AND the patient must be there for medical care and they must be "chronically ill" which means that a doctor or nurse has certified that the patient cannot perform at least 2 activities of daily living such as eating, toileting, transferring, bathing, dressing or continence, or requires supervision for a cognitive impairment( such as Alzheimer's or another form of dementia). In addition, personal care services must be provided according to a plan of care prepared by a licensed healthcare provider. Example: Doctor, Nurse, Social Worker. There are certain circumstances where the room and board may not be deductible.
You really need to visit the sites I mentioned and see if any of this applies to your situation. You may need to seek help from an Eldercare Attorney. Your local Aging Council may help with some of that or point you in the right direction. Good Luck Weeone.

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MaggieMarshall May 2015
A certain portion of nursing home costs may be considered medical expense. Most of it, though, is considered custodial care. The nursing home will break it down for you if you ask...at least here in Illinois they will.

COULDITBEME May 2015
If you itemize your deductions for a taxable year on Form 1040 Schedule A, you may be able to deduct expenses you paid that year for medical and dental expenses for yourself, spouse and your dependents. You may deduct 10 percent of your medical / dental expenses that exceed 10 percent of your Adjustable Gross Income or 7.5 percent if You or Your Spouse is over 65 years old and 7.5 percent ends tax year December 31, 2016. I took that information from IRS.GOV ...Go to irs.gov and click on Credits and Deductions for Individuals. Everything is well explained on Irs.gov as malloryg8r suggested. I hope this is the information you were looking for. I know it is confusing. I haven't posted to or with you before. Don't hesitate to ask questions and post. There are real caregiving veterans and more on Aging. They really care. Even if you just need to vent. Take care of yourself.

malloryg8r May 2015
Did you do a search on irs.gov yet? They have very detailed information on what qualifies for a medical expense. I think the medical part of your bill is deductible but not the room & food part, but for the best answer on any tax questions, consult the IRS website.

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