<<if your mother is over the age of 65, her standard deduction is $13,850. If the total of her pension and 1/2 of her social security gross income exceeds that amount, then she would need to file. if not, then there is no filing requirement.>>
Can you please withdraw this advice? My example proves it is incorrect. The correct advice is that if her income is less than $13850 (excluding social security) AND social security is less than $25,000, there is no need to file (single). State taxes are a separate matter.
<<As far as claiming nursing home costs, you can claim these if you claim your mother as a dependent on your return. Please reference the advice that Barryea619 gave in the previous post.>>
that is not the point..... the mother-in-law can claim the expenses on her own return.
