[NJ Gene]

Originally Posted by Lillyth

It *was* 7.5%. Beginning with this calendar year (2013), that amount went up to 10%, so I didn't bother posting that 7.5% number, as, from this point on, anyone reading this will be subject to the 10% tax rate.

In America, just to clarify, the tax year is the calendar year. As far as hotels and such go, I'm a lot less concerned about that than the cost of the surgery itself. Our tax guy estimated that our tax refund next year would exceed my husband's income! But that's because I am doing so many freaking levels at once. The likelihood of this kind of money being spent again on this forum is low, but just in case. PLUS, our accountant deals with the IRS for us if we do get audited. Gotta love H&R Block! I tell ya, man, $35.00 is a small price to pay for someone else to deal with the IRS if they dispute your 80k tax deduction (and that's just for the surgery alone, not any of the extra things like food and flights).

Also, my husband may not have medical training (actually he *does*, but it is Alternative Healing stuff), but I challenge anyone to tell someone getting SIX levels of their spine replaced that they don't need a support person on the trip. Of course, it is the government, so who knows. I will also be getting letters of medical necessity from all of my various doctors, so that should help too.

Oh, and, even 50 bucks a night for the hotel would be great to get back!

Lilly,

I am a C.P.A. Everything related to the trip is tax deductible to the extent it exceeds 10% of your adjusted gross income. In particular, your flights and hotel are, so you should take them. However, if you extend your trip by an extra week to take an additional vacation I would not recommend including that. The amount of hotel time recommended by your medical team is reasonable, in my opinion. Here's the good part. Because you are going to exceed 10% of your AGI with this surgery, you should include things at home that you normally wouldn't think of doing. Every single copay of every doctor's visit you make should be included. The same thing goes for medications. Any out-of-pocket costs (not reimbursed by insurance) can be added in. If you see a mental heath professional by some chance, they are usually not 100% covered. Include the out-of-pocket cost. Same goes for acupuncture. You could even deduct the cost of a massage if you have a doctor's note that says it's necessary. If you file a joint return, your husband can include all of his medical related expenses. Last but not least, don't forget to include any supplemental health or dental insurance in which you pay for the premiums out of pocket (and are not already deductible as a business expense).