I am going to prepare my income tax to deduct the cost ofsurgery, mileage etc...anyone got some hints.... going to start researching on line and through friends... lets start a line so we can all profit.

Kathy

Hi Kathy :tongue2:

I claimed my surgery and expenses on my tax return last year and it was pretty simple....granted I don't do my own return, the accountant does.

Normally, in an average year, with my income level and write-offs I break even....no money in, no money out. After claiming my surgery ($16,000 US) and a couple of hotel reciepts (I spaced it and didn't save gas bills!!!) I got about $2,200 back. As far as I remember the accountant telling me, it was all claimed under 'medical expenses'.

Another thing I recall him mentioning was that if it helps, the cost can be split and claimed over 2 years.

All the best,

Patricia

We do our own IT and we submitted itemized receipts for everything, a letter from my surgeon I required obesity surgery. The travel expenses were questioned because one has to show why the surgery could not have been done closer to home. They asked from a letter from my GP which I got. So far I haven't heard back but I think they accepted the travel claims.

It appears from posts that the medical expense is not questioned, just the travel costs. They want you to justify why you couldn't use a surgeon in your local area.

One other consideration at tax time is if you live in a northern zone and qualify for all or part of northern residents medical/travelling deductions and or claims. Most accountants will be able to answer this for you. If you don't have access to one call Canada Revenue Agency yourself. If you live in the north you may qualify for additional deductions. Good luck.

My accountant warned me that they would question the large medical deduction but not to worry about it. And sure enough, I got a letter in the mail asking to provide information about it. (My travel wasn't that much, so they didn't question that). I just photocopied the invoice and sent that back to them, and got a letter saying all was well.

I had to ask my clinic though for a proper receipt that states what the operation is. The receipt I got was just a statement saying paid, so make sure to ask them for something with more explanation if yours is just a statement too. They just faxed me mine.

Also, it was better for us to claim this on my husband's taxes, rather than mine and I was really surprised and pleased that I was able to do that. So we got a couple of thousand more back than we usually would as well.

Mary

My Dr's office just sent me a payment ledger with the Medical codes on it and said that would be sufficient but should I call them back and have them send a detailed explanation?

Mia,

This is the Canadian section so we have no clue about the US Income Tax system. In Canada, we need the detailed statement but I'm sure your surgeon would know if you need more than what he provided to you. I hope you get to use all your medical expenses the way we do.