Is Voice recognition software a medical deduction

to hear other opinions. I am retired but my entire financial life is computerized, in addition to the normal email and web research, and I just bought Dragon Premium to save my hands and arms, which after 35 years in IT are in chronic pain doing any keyboarding/mouse activity. Is there any way this could be a medical deduction, or possibly an investment expense (even if I prorate the cost)?

I think you might be able to claim it as a medical expense, but the determination isn't black and white. The excess cost of braille books or TTY/TTD phones is deductible. Even some ordinary personal use items are deductible when "used primarily to prevent or alleviate a physical or mental defect or illness." (IRS Pub. 502) It will depend on the facts and circumstances of your situation (ie., doctor's assessment, etc.).

Ira Smilovitz

Could be medical if ordered by a doctor.

Don't see how it could be an investment unless you could show it was intended to produce income.

=====================Before I would decide to say yes, I'd want the medical condition reduced to a diagnosis which isn't vague - e.g. rheumatoid arthritis or carpal-tunnel syndrome seem appropriate. Simply "having pain" seems insufficient.