Tax Deductions For DME

Current tax laws allow for durable medical equipment to be deducted on one’s taxes if they are deemed a ‘qualified medical expense’ by a doctor.  Such expenses must “alleviate or prevent a physical or mental defect or illness.”

This includes any co-pays on equipment which Medicare may largely cover, any equipment not covered by Medicare including walkers, wheelchairs and hospital beds, and even day-to-day items, such as incontinence supplies and supportive clothing.

For a list of all approved qualified medical expenses please visit: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p502.pdf

Information for Family Caregivers

Current tax laws allow for durable medical equipment purchases – used to support the care of a loved one – to be deducted on one’s taxes if that person is a qualified dependent. The federal tax codes are revised with the passage of each national budget. 

Please visit the following for the latest information on tax deductions on DME: https://www.irs.gov/faqs/irs-procedures/for-caregivers

To claim a tax deduction for DME purchases which support care of a parent or other loved one, you must claim that person as a dependent.

Generally, to claim someone (such as a parent) as a dependent you must meet the following conditions:

• You (and your spouse if filing jointly) are not a dependent of another taxpayer
• Your parent, if married, does not file a joint return. An exception exists if your parent and his or her spouse file a joint return to claim a refund of income tax withheld or estimated tax paid
• Your parent is a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, U.S. resident alien, or a resident of Canada or Mexico
• You paid more than half of your parent’s support for the calendar year
• Your parent’s gross income for the calendar year was less than $4,200
• Your parent isn’t a qualifying child of another taxpayer
• If your parent is your foster parent, they must have lived with you all year as a member of your household.

Please visit the following for the latest information on tax deductions for family caregivers:  https://www.irs.gov/faqs/irs-procedures/for-caregivers