What are the tax breaks you can utilize if you have a special needs child?

Question

I know we can claim our co-pays, medicine and supplements that are prescribed by our doctor, and specialty diet items prescribed by our doctor due to food/protien allergies and intolerances, but is there any other breaks other than those that we can get or other areas that we can claim. Its been a tough year and we need all the help we get! Thanks.

Answer 1

You may also qualify for the child and dependent care credit if you paid someone to look after your child, but beware that you cannot claim expenses to a care-giver that you also deducted on Schedule A for the medical expense deduction. So for example if you paid a home-care giver to watch after your child, you can only use the expenses to either claim the credit or for the deduction if they qualify, not for both. You may be able to split the expenses between the two, though. See the links below for more information. Specifically, page 8 of the publication 503 under the header "medical expenses".

Also, did you adopt this child? If so then also look into the adoption credit on http://www.irs.gov

Answer 2

That's about it.

Good luck - you're on a tough road.

Answer 3

call H & R Block or a CPA