AboutJohn Stancil, CPA Expertise I can answer questions on personal income taxes, partnerships, and some corporate income taxes. I can deal with some state tax questions. Limited gift and estate tax questions. I am also familiar with ministerial and church tax reporting issues. I teach tax and accounting at a small church-related college. Sales taxes and property taxes are state and local issues so I am not likely be be able to give you an in depth answer on those types of taxes. I have maintained a part time tax practice for over 30 years. I am a member of the AICPA, National Society of Tax Professionals, and the Institute of Management Accountants.
Experience I hold a doctorate in Accounting, and four professional certifications: CPA, CMA, CFM, and CIA. I passed all certification examinations on the first attempt, and received honorable mention for my scores on the CIA exam. I write a monthly tax column for the local newspaper.
Question I have a son that has Asperger's which is a condition that falls on the Autism Spectrum (high end of the autism spectrum). As a result we have to take him to therapists and we also have to hire an advocate to represent him at the school to make sure that he gets all of the interventions and accomodations that he needs and is entitled to. My question, which I have had a hard time finding answers to, is wouldn't these expenses be deductable since he is our dependent? These are not expenses we would have unless we absolutley had to have them and it is hard to believe that some if not all of them are not deductable. Can you give me a bit of advise on this?
Answer Richard,
Thanks for your question.
The cost of the therapy as medical treatments is deductible. However, the cost of the advocate would not be.
As I am sure you know, medical expenses are medical deductions and you can only deduct those that exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income.
