Walk in tub- Sch A medical

[kathyc2]

Client has a doctor prescription for a walk in tub purchase due to pelvic fracture. Total cost was 15K. I'm thinking of allocating 10K to A and 5K to adding to value of house. Opinions?

[ATSMAN]

I don't have experience with a Walk In Tub. But a client of mine several years back got a prescription for a hot tub that was necessary for pain relief. The cost including modification to her deck was close to $5K if I recall. Deduction taken on Sch A. I actually attached a copy of the letter. The value of the house was unchanged according to a realtor's opinion.

[Lion]

Do you have something on a realtor's letterhead that gives the increase in value to the house?

[mastertaxguy]

Walk in tub

Consider if such an installation actually improves the value of the home.

[geekgirldany]

A walk in tub is really a medical device if you look at it. It is for people that can not get in a regular tub and it was prescribed by a doctor.
I do not believe it would add value to the house and more than likely if resold the new owners (depending on age) would replace it with a standard tub.

[Roland Slugg]

A walk-in tub ... hmmmm. That's called a "shower," isn't it?

Actually, one of my clients replaced a standard tub with a walk-in tub just two years ago. We discussed it and decided to deduct the entire cost as a medical expense. A swimming pool will definitely add value to a house, but except for rare instances when a buyer happens to come along who needs one, a walk-in tub does not. In fact, it may even reduce a house's appeal and value. A prospective buyer would probably think, "Well, I like this house, but if I buy it, I will have to replace that special tub with a standard one."

In my opinion, the entire cost is a legitimate medical deduction.

[kathyc2]

Sounds like the majority opinion is I'm being too conservative on write off portion. I'll take that all into consideration. Thanks!

[taxea]

Are there any other members in the household or does the TP live alone? Is this injury permanent or will it heal? The tub may not increase the value of the home but I don't think the total expense can be taken without more information.