Are LTC costs medical expenses tax wise?

[Anonymous]

If not being covered by insurance..

[Anonymous]

Might be better to post on financial board. things like PT, OT, rehabilitation, doctor bills might count, but I don't think you can write off assisted living.

[Anonymous]

It has to be a certain percentage of gross income.

[Anonymous]

https://www.irs.gov/faqs/itemized-deductions-standard-deduction/medical-nursing-home-special-care-expenses

Question
My father is in a nursing home and I pay for the entire cost. Can I deduct these expenses on my tax return?

Answer
Yes, in certain instances nursing home expenses are deductible medical expenses.

If you, your spouse, or your dependent is in a nursing home primarily for medical care, then the entire nursing home cost (including meals and lodging) is deductible as a medical expense.

If that individual is in a home primarily for non-medical reasons, then only the cost of the actual medical care is deductible as a medical expense, not the cost of the meals and lodging.

To determine if your father qualifies as your dependent for this purpose, refer to Whose Medical Expenses Can You Include and Nursing Home in Publication 502, Medical and Dental Expenses.

Deduct medical expenses on Schedule A (Form 1040), Itemized Deductions.
The total of all allowable medical expenses must be reduced by 7.5% of your adjusted gross income.

[Anonymous]

Amounts above 7.5% of AGI and you have to itemize.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Amounts above 7.5% of AGI and you have to itemize.

Sadly it over the total AGI...thank goodness they were savers.

[Anonymous]

Note that the very helpful response from 22:44 talks about ‘nursing home ‘ care as opposed to long term care. The medical nursing part would be if he is admitted to a skilled nursing facility following a hospital admission, and is getting therapy and other medical services intended to improve his condition enough that he can return home. If he is living at the nursing home, then the bulk of his care is likely not medical.