David,

I think you are reading these posts too fast in between all the other stuff that is biting at your rear end.

What I suggested was to post a link to the actual IRS website page that explains medical deductions. I would, but didn't want to if it wasn't approved. I found that it was very helpful and not confusing at all and I was able to read it in about 5 minutes and glean the info I needed.

Anyway, if anyone wants a general idea about what medical deductions can be taken, limitations, etc. and doesn't want to bother David just Google IRS.gov and go from there. Pretty easy to find.

David, if I sound like I'm bit**ing, I probably am...too many males in my life right now that don't listen. Anyway, you are kind to offer help to everyone and I was just trying to make your life a little easier since the website explains a lot.

Deb

My father's only employer was the U.S. Gov't. Out of college and into the army, WWII, and from the army to the IRS as a TAX MAN, now called Collections Officer so I grew up with the IRS. My dad worked a lot at home. In fact our dinning room table was his office and he use to keep U.S. Gov't ballpoint pens in the buffet table, hundreds of them. When I was growing up my brother & I would ask to use one of those pens for homework or playing cards and he would tell us NO WAY, the're the property of the U.S. Gov't. When he died 2 years ago he still had those pens in the dining room drawer. I kept one as a souvenir but I still won't use it. He also prepared my income tax returns until he thought I was able to do them by myself.

David,

Thanks for sharing this memory of your father. It took me back to a pleasant place in my own life that I haven't visited in years.


[quote=davidcpa]My father's only employer was the U.S. Gov't. Out of college and into the army, WWII, and from the army to the IRS.... My dad worked a lot at home. In fact our dining room table was his office and he use to keep U.S. Gov't ballpoint pens in the buffet table... [/quote]

Except for a different government agency, this is my dad. He died 11 years ago. He was the most honest person I have ever known, and he too had rules about the use of those black ballpoint pens!

When he would tell my brother & I those pens were OFF LIMITS AND PROPERTY OF TH US GOV'T we would look at each other and whisper, "then why don't you keep so many?" Never did ask him or get the answer.

One or two would come home in that pocket protector each day!

Heck, even old Jim here can do taxes, long or short forms. I had a lot of greatful friends when I was wroking for doing their taxes and no charging them. I did go to college for Business Admin and Accouting. LOL I had to be truthful.

Jim,

Great to see you posting again.

How are you feeling?

Is there anything left that they haven't done to your body?

BTW we don't refer to them as the long and short forms anymore. Not since 1986 anyway. lol

Come on posters I know you must have some noteworthy tax questions.

Does everyone know about the first time home buyers credit or should I say 15 year interest free loan up to $7500? A first time homeowner is defined as someone that hasn't owned a home in just 3 years so if you sold your home three years ago and just purchased another one, you qualify. No age limitations either. Unmarried people are also able to split it anyway they want.

TAxpayers still refer to them as the long and short forms -- Old habits are hard to break.

I'm glad to see you refer to the so-called 'credit' as a loan; although most people (not pro tax preparers) don't know the difference between a deduction and a credit, I believe it is still disingenuous of those in power to refer to this program as credits.

Those unmarried folks who split the "credit" are going to have fun paying it back in the future, esp if they are not friends at the time. I recall when my sister-in-law's husband decided to 'find himself', quit his job, divorced and went off -- He cashed in all his tax-deferred retirement stuf (IRA, 401(k)) and then lost the money when he invested it in a business -- Since he was unable to pay, the IRS turned to sister-in-law to collect, although she had never touched the money nor was any of it in her name nor was she married to the guy when he did it -- They didn't get any money from her, but it sure cost her time, aggravation and money to get them off her back!

Since I am still a recovering lawyer, I need to point out that under the current Senate Bill, the 15K is no longer a loan, but a real tax credit that need never be repayed. As PeteD noted, the prior "credit" was and is fraudulent since it must be repayed and therefore is a disguised loan. Of course the worse rip of all is the so called Rapid Refund or Refund Anticipation Loan with APRs > 200% .

Those 'Rapid Refunds' should be illegal! In my Opinion, of course!