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
