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Subject Author Date
medical expense documentation question Jane 10-08-2007
Posted by Jane on October 8, 2007, 6:43 pm
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 For the first time ever we have enough medical expenses to
be able to deduct some (lucky us).

We purchased a medically necessary stair lift for $17k. I
have the note from my doctor, the receipt and a letter from
a realtor saying it would not increase the value of my home.
Of course there are also LOTS of doctor bills, but it's the
stair lift that puts us into the deductible category.

Is there any point in attaching copies of these papers to my
tax forms? Due to my physical condition I would like to
avoid an audit at all cost.

thanks

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Posted by Harlan Lunsford on October 9, 2007, 2:08 am
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 Jane wrote:

> For the first time ever we have enough medical expenses to
> be able to deduct some (lucky us).
>
> We purchased a medically necessary stair lift for $17k. I
> have the note from my doctor, the receipt and a letter from
> a realtor saying it would not increase the value of my home.
> Of course there are also LOTS of doctor bills, but it's the
> stair lift that puts us into the deductible category.
>
> Is there any point in attaching copies of these papers to my
> tax forms? Due to my physical condition I would like to
> avoid an audit at all cost.

There are two schools of thought on this one. One says just
do it, meaning deduct it and not draw attention to the
entry. IF they want to audit they will; actually they will
regardless of whether or not you do attach documentation.
The other camp of course says play it safe and send in
documentation.

Actually if IRS gets a paper return with such statements,
nobody takes the time when processing to read them anyway.
They just enter the figures and file away the paperwork.
Which means it gets lost anyway.

So my attitude is forget about trying to prevent an audit.
Just do it.

ChEAr$,
Harlan Lunsford, EA n LA

<< ------------------------------------------------------- >>
<< The foregoing was not intended or written to be used, >>
<< nor can it used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties >>
<< that may be imposed upon the taxpayer. >>
<< >>
<< The Charter and the Guidelines for submitting posts >>
<< to this newsgroup as well as our anti-spamming policy >>
<< are at www.asktax.org. >>
<< Copyright (2007) - All rights reserved. >>
<< ------------------------------------------------------- >>

Posted by Bill on October 9, 2007, 2:08 am
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googlemail2003@yahoo.com (Jane) posted:

> For the first time ever we have enough
> medical expenses to be able to deduct some
> (lucky us).
>
> We purchased a medically necessary stair lift
> for $17k. I have the note from my doctor, the
> receipt and a letter from a realtor saying it
> would not increase the value of my home.
> Of course there are also LOTS of doctor bills,
> but it's the stair lift that puts us into the
> deductible category.
>
> Is there any point in attaching copies of these
> papers to my tax forms? Due to my physical
> condition I would like to avoid an audit at all
> cost.

The description of the huge room, with desks manned by
clerks shuffling papers was chilling. A wonderful argument
for e-filing.

Of course, it doesn't cost a lot to make a few copies ...
but don't have a lot of faith that it will be carefully
preserved and related to your filing. So definitely save all
originals in your tax file ... and be prepared to send
copies when you receive the routine "letter audit" that will
probably be prompted by your exceeding the norms for medical
expense in your income bracket.

That's the point at which your attached copy will be more
likely useful. (Again, always a "copy.")

Good luck.

Bill

<< ------------------------------------------------------- >>
<< The foregoing was not intended or written to be used, >>
<< nor can it used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties >>
<< that may be imposed upon the taxpayer. >>
<< >>
<< The Charter and the Guidelines for submitting posts >>
<< to this newsgroup as well as our anti-spamming policy >>
<< are at www.asktax.org. >>
<< Copyright (2007) - All rights reserved. >>
<< ------------------------------------------------------- >>

Posted by Harlan Lunsford on October 9, 2007, 8:28 pm
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Bill wrote:
> googlemail2003@yahoo.com (Jane) posted:

>> For the first time ever we have enough
>> medical expenses to be able to deduct some
>> (lucky us).
>>
>> We purchased a medically necessary stair lift
>> for $17k. I have the note from my doctor, the
>> receipt and a letter from a realtor saying it
>> would not increase the value of my home.
>> Of course there are also LOTS of doctor bills,
>> but it's the stair lift that puts us into the
>> deductible category.
>>
>> Is there any point in attaching copies of these
>> papers to my tax forms? Due to my physical
>> condition I would like to avoid an audit at all
>> cost.

> The description of the huge room, with desks manned by
> clerks shuffling papers was chilling. A wonderful argument
> for e-filing.
>
> Of course, it doesn't cost a lot to make a few copies ...
> but don't have a lot of faith that it will be carefully
> preserved and related to your filing. So definitely save all
> originals in your tax file ... and be prepared to send
> copies when you receive the routine "letter audit" that will
> probably be prompted by your exceeding the norms for medical
> expense in your income bracket.

Don't scare him, Bill. There's certainly no certainty that
such a mail audit will happen.

ChEAr$,
Harlan

<< ------------------------------------------------------- >>
<< The foregoing was not intended or written to be used, >>
<< nor can it used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties >>
<< that may be imposed upon the taxpayer. >>
<< >>
<< The Charter and the Guidelines for submitting posts >>
<< to this newsgroup as well as our anti-spamming policy >>
<< are at www.asktax.org. >>
<< Copyright (2007) - All rights reserved. >>
<< ------------------------------------------------------- >>

Posted by Arthur Kamlet on October 9, 2007, 8:28 pm
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> For the first time ever we have enough medical expenses to
> be able to deduct some (lucky us).
>
> We purchased a medically necessary stair lift for $17k. I
> have the note from my doctor, the receipt and a letter from
> a realtor saying it would not increase the value of my home.
> Of course there are also LOTS of doctor bills, but it's the
> stair lift that puts us into the deductible category.
>
> Is there any point in attaching copies of these papers to my
> tax forms? Due to my physical condition I would like to
> avoid an audit at all cost.

You can attach copies of your proof if you wish, but chances
are it will be ignored. Later the IRS might contact you
for proof, and that's when you send it.

--
ArtKamlet at a o l dot c o m Columbus OH K2PZH

<< ------------------------------------------------------- >>
<< The foregoing was not intended or written to be used, >>
<< nor can it used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties >>
<< that may be imposed upon the taxpayer. >>
<< >>
<< The Charter and the Guidelines for submitting posts >>
<< to this newsgroup as well as our anti-spamming policy >>
<< are at www.asktax.org. >>
<< Copyright (2007) - All rights reserved. >>
<< ------------------------------------------------------- >>

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