Father passed away and Mother is the conservator/legal guardian of a minor child. Mother pays medical bills out of childs income. Can I deduct that on the Mothers tax return?
Thanks for your help.
Father passed away and Mother is the conservator/legal guardian of a minor child. Mother pays medical bills out of childs income. Can I deduct that on the Mothers tax return?
Thanks for your help.
Nope, it's deductible on the child's return.
Would that make a difference if the child's income is subject to the kiddie tax? Stu
Wow, just when you think you've heard them all!
it's a good question of course. But I would say that only if the child actually made a gift of the money to the mother, a hard case to prove, given the state limitations on minors' actions. I posed a similar question regarding the possibility of three sons' giving there parents stocks with capital gains (when sold in the future), since parents have this humongous capital loss carry forward and consensus of opinion was that such a "gift" by minor children just wouldn't be believable by IRS, nor even permitted under state law. How is this similar to your case?
See why I think your's is a good question?
ChEAr$, Harlan Lunsford, EA n LA
Not a bit of difference, Stu. Deductions belong to the proper taxpayer by the grace of congress. However it should be noted that the OP didn't say whose medical bills were paid. If mother's bills were paid out of child's income, then no deduction for either mother or the child. Only if mother pays out of her funds for child's medical bills may she deduct same. ChEAr$, Harlan
[...]
The rules for medical dependents are more relaxed. The child could possibly take a deduction for mother's bills paid out of child's income since the mother could be a qualifying relative for medical purposes if child provided more than half of mother's support (which of course includes medical bills). Is mother a blood relative? I was puzzled by the "conservator/legal guardian" comment.
-Mark Bole
BeanSmart website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.