Moving Exp. as a Medical Exp.

[mrichman333]

Ok, here one I've looked up and find as many as say no as yes. So what say you

A clients 90 year old mother "needed" to be placed in a nursing home because she was no longer able to care for her self.

Could the moving expense be considered a medical expense?

here is one "expert" advice from a few years ago

"Thank you for using justanswer. The general definition provided by the IRS states that, “Medical expenses are the costs of diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease, and the costs for treatments affecting any part or function of the body.”

The text goes on to say that these medical expenses “include the costs of equipment, supplies, and diagnostic devices needed for these purposes.” Dental expenses are also specifically included as medical expenses. As additional clarification, the text states that, “Medical care expenses must be primarily to alleviate or prevent a physical or mental defect or illness. They do not include expenses that are merely beneficial to general health, such as vitamins or a vacation.”

While the text excludes expenses that are “merely beneficial to general health” the definition also includes the term “prevention of disease” among deductible medical expenses. There is, of course, some room for interpretation, and it is important to evaluate each situation individually to see whether the expenses go along with the spirit of this tax benefit provision.

In keeping with the spirit of the law, and since transportation costs are already listed as deductible, I think if you can adequately prove that leaving your mother alone, and that in home nursing where she was living was not an option based on cost, etc, then you may deduct the move as medical."

Not sure I agree

[Jack from Ohio]

Not deductible as medical. The person giving those answers should offer to represent those that follow his guidance at audit.

No way I would take such an aggressive position.

Besides, how much expense could there be?

[kcjenkins]

SOME costs might be, such as if she needs to be moved by ambulance or patient transfer service. Cost of moving special medical equipment, too. But just normal 'moving expense', no.