KathrynG3
Expert Alumni

Deductions & credits

No. To include any value in your tax return, it must be defensible. See below for some suggestions in determining value without receipts. But, remember, that medical expenses must exceed 7.5% of your 2019 adjusted gross income to be deductible. For example, if you earned $10,000 for the year, 7/5% is $750. If you had $1,000 in deductible medical expenses, you would be allowed to deduction $250. ($1,000-$750=$250)

 

A best practice is to save the actual receipts. The next best approach would be to document the medical expenses being claimed by rebuilding a reasonable estimate. There is no need to attach this to your return, but do keep these records with your 2019 tax records. Likewise, the support does not have to take a tremendous amount of time.

 

For example, go through credit card statements and check actual costs. Or, use a spreadsheet to capture the expense that is reasonably valued including amounts for a predictable pattern for recurring purchases, An example for single purchases like the heating pad would be to include a screenshot of the item or one of comparable value in your records.