Tax Time is here again, and Tax Forms and regulations never fail to confuse the general public every year. For example, IRS Publication 502 covers medical expenses. It has over 100 topics covered. So how can you easily find out who to claim medical deductions on? Don't worry, I've got you covered.
Qualifying Child:
According to the IRS, the only children who qualify for medical deductions are:
* Is your son, daughter, stepchild, foster child, brother, sister, stepbrother, stepsister, or a descendant of any of them
* Is under the age of 19
* Is under the age of 24 and a full-time student
* Permanently and totally disabled
Adopted child: A legally adopted child is treated as your own child. You can include medical expenses that you paid for a child before adoption, if the child qualified as your dependent when the medical services were provided or when the expenses were paid.
Spouse: You can include medical expenses you paid for your spouse. But watch out. To include these expenses, you must have been married either at the time your spouse received the medical services or at the time you paid the medical expenses.
Qualifying Relatives:
* Son, daughter, stepchild, foster child, or a descendant of any of them
* Brother, sister, son or daughter of either of them
* Father, mother, or an ancestor or sibling of either of them
* Stepbrother, stepsister, stepfather, stepmother, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, father-in-law, mother-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law
* Any other person (other than your spouse) who lived with you all year as a member of your household
Quick Tip: Be very careful about who you claim as a dependent on your medical deductions. You don't want to get buried in debt over a simple medical deduction error! If you're unsure about anything, get a second opinion from a professional.Labels: Children and Tax Debt, Medical Deductions
