Educational Advocate

[DK23]

I hired a Educational  Advocate for my special needs son. Are Advocate fees tax deductible? 

[Carl]

Basically, you're asking if you can claim the cost of a tutor. The answer is no. At least, not as an education expenses. However, if a licensed medical professional has prescribed it as a medical necessity, then it's a qualified medical expense. Just keep all your paperwork, because when you claim it as such, you *will* be audited. It's no problem if you can prove it was prescribed as a medical necessity by a licensed medical professional.

[xmasbaby0]

If you enter the cost of the educational advocate as a medical expense, be aware that the threshold to claim medical expenses is a tough one.  You will only be able to claim the amount that exceeds 10% of your 2019 AGI.  And then you also have to have enough other itemized deductions to exceed your standard deduction.  Since the new tax laws passed for 2018 and beyond it has been much harder for many people to use itemized deductions instead of just taking the standard deduction.

2019 Standard Deduction Amounts

Single $12,200   (+ $1650 65 or older)

Married Filing Separate  $12,200   (+ $1300 if 65 or older)

Married Filing Jointly $24,400   (+ $1300 for each spouse 65 or older)

Head of Household $18,350  (+ $1650 for 65 or older)

(Also + $1650 if legally blind)

[kristy-ann-moore]

An EA is not a tutor. They are exactly what their title says they are. If you are going to answer a question about EAs, you should at least know what an EA is and what they do.