Water Ionizer as a deductible medical expense

[mblatour]

I have a client who had lead poisoning last year. Her house is over 100 years old and she believes it was the plumbing that caused her lead poisoning. I asked her if she had the water tested, but she had not. She paid $3,822 for a water ionizer system in her house. She wants to take this as a deductible medical expense.

Thoughts?

Also, she is handicapped. She purchased a hospital bed for her home (recommended by her doctor) to help her get up and out. This bed would be deducted as equipment correct?

Thanks,
Becky

[Possi]

Doctor recommended?

Get a letter from the doctor quick!

(I'm ready to get fussed at for that one!)

[mblatour]

Possi,

I suppose that could be done, but now that I've actually started preparing the return it turns out that those deductions won't gain her any more back because she's already reduced to zero income from her charitable donations, other medical, mortgage interest, etc. Thanks for the response though.

I am curious if anyone had ever heard of the water ionizer thing though?

Becky

[oceanlovin'ea]

I have heard of the water ionizer machine. People definitely use it to be able to drink water that is not contaminated by all the pollutants that are in the water.

But I am not sure if it is something you can deduct as a medical expense. I'm sure that it would fall under the same category as supplements and herbs that people take. They are definitely for health reasons and do correct medical issues, but we can't deduct them. At least not yet.

Should be able to.....as an alternative to prescriptions.

Linda

[JohnH]

Becky raises an interesting side issue with this post that we all can get caught up in at times.

The client poses a knotty question and since we all like to learn new things and want to give correct answers, we launch into trying to figure it out. Maybe do some research, consult others, or dig into the matter on the internet.

Then it dawns on us to take a quick look at the return, usually to determine what difference the deduction will make in actual dollars. It turns out that it doesn't make any difference for one reason or another, or the difference is less than the additional charge we will need to assess for doing the extra work.

I've done this often, and sometimes smack my forehead and say "Why didn't I work up the return first?" But I usually find that getting the answer does more than just satisfy my curiosity - sometimes that knowledge comes in handy in another situation where it really does make a difference.

Anyhow, as for the water ionizer, I'm sure the client really believes it's beneficial from a medical point of view, but unless a doctor writes a prescription for it, I don't see how a deduction would ever be allowed.

[JG EA]

Could be a capital expense? Pub 502 page 6.

Also by the way, suppliments can be deductible under specified conditions. Pub 502 page 17 under Nutritional Supplements.

[mblatour]

John,

you make an very valid point. I think I often put questions out there or do research on a clients situation long before I actually begin the return. Then at times I end up realizing when I prepare the return that the work I did does not benefit them anyhow. But then again, I may apply that knowledge to another situation in the future.

When things get busy during the hustle and bustle of tax season we can lose sight of obvious things. The water ionizer is just one situation that I could not just look up and see the answer, but rather see if some other preparer had been faced with something similar.

Sometimes it takes time to get an answer that may help you or at least help to answer the question at hand. If I wait until I am working on the return, the return often gets put on the back burner for more time. If I get the answer before I'm actually ready to prepare the return, then I'm all set. I can definitely see the issue by going either way.

I'm just glad for the support I've found on this board. What a great bunch of folks you are.

Becky

[JohnH]

Absolutely. I can't remember right now who said it so I can give them credit, but a regular either on this forum or the ATX Community referred to it as their "Virtual Water Cooler" resource. I like that.

[Nashville]

How?

but unless a doctor writes a prescription for it, I don't see how a deduction would ever be allowed.

A prescription gives the taxpayer a safe haven, but how does a doctor write a prescription for a water purifier?

[Possi]

He can...

A prescription gives the taxpayer a safe haven, but how does a doctor write a prescription for a water purifier?

... write a prescription for one. Sodium content would be one good reason.

Way back 10 years ago, I had fibromyalgia and the doctor wrote for "hydrotherapy" aka "hot tub"

It cost over 8000.00. Not only did I save on my tax bill, I saved over $450 on SALES tax because I was filling a prescription!

Sweet!

And the best part is that I am now HEALED from the fibromyalgia! That was a nice hot tub... (I lost custody in the divorce)

But I feel better!

[JohnH]

Well, you can always get another hot tub. Plus if you decide it doesn't meet your needs, the hot tub is a lot less trouble to get rid of than a spouse.

[Possi]

Amen Brother!

AMEN! That puts it in perspective!

[erchess]

Rx

A prescription gives the taxpayer a safe haven, but how does a doctor write a prescription for a water purifier?

For you to be able to deduct the cost of an item it is enough if the Doctor maintains in your chart a dated diagnosis and consequent recommendation. To save on the sales tax I would imagine that Possi had either a letter or simply a notice on a prescription pad.

[taxea]

I researched this item

My research educated me on the fact that this is no different than drinking carbonated water which is much cheaper and after the research I did, I would not consider it a medical expense with or without a doctor's Rx. taxea