Nursing Home Costs - Medical Care?

[zeros]

Taxpayer pays a grand total and billed each month. At the end of the year, a form is issued for the rent paid. Can we deduct the total payments less the total considered rent to get to the medical expense?

[ATSMAN]

Taxpayer pays a grand total and billed each month. At the end of the year, a form is issued for the rent paid. Can we deduct the total payments less the total considered rent to get to the medical expense?

Med Expense is the total bill minus rent, minus personal grooming charges if any.

Some nursing homes require the patient to have a separate account to pay for grooming and misc charges and that is not in the monthly bill. Sort of like a prison account where you have to keep it funded!

[Lion]

Should we want to know how you know that about prison?!

[Gene V]

Publication 502

Taxpayer pays a grand total and billed each month. At the end of the year, a form is issued for the rent paid. Can we deduct the total payments less the total considered rent to get to the medical expense?

You can include in medical expenses the cost of medical care in a nursing home, This includes the cost of meals and lodging in the home if a principal reason
for being there is to get medical care.

Do not include the cost of meals and lodging if the reason for being in the home is personal.

See Publication 502 for more information

[Burke]

If this is an assisted living facility, then usually there is a percentage of lodging which is considered for medical purposes. Sometimes these facilities have 3 levels, independent living, assisted living, and nursing care. Make sure which one your client is receiving.

[ATSMAN]

Should we want to know how you know that about prison?!

Good question. My brother in law is a correctional officer!