Deducting pool and construction to put in for medical care

[sekay2k]

I put in pool for my MS  and had to do some yard work in order to have pool installed are these deductible along with pool??

[sekay2k]

how do you figure out deduction for pool? do you just put in total amount it cost?

[Opus 17]

For a medical expense tax deduction, you only include the EXTRA cost that was due to the medical need.  If audited, you need a reasonable way of proving this--the IRS does not have to award any deduction that the taxpayer can't prove.  If you don't have an itemized statement of costs, maybe you can get one from the contractor if you explain why you need it.

For the rest, you can include the total cost you paid for the pool, landscaping, and other improvements to your real property in your cost basis when and if you sell (minus the costs you deduct as a medical expense).  You should keep paperwork relating to home improvements for as long as you own the home, plus 6 years after, since improvements made long ago can affect your tax returns in the year you sell.

[sekay2k]

So for medical expense I can include cost to put in pool? Do I need to get property appraisals and from where I put in pool 6 months after we bought house

[Opus 17]

Are you even reading my answers?

The only part of the pool that is a deductible medical expense is any EXTRA cost that is specifically due to a medical condition.  That might include an accessibility lift device, or a paved wheelchair path to access the pool, or some other cost that is individual to your circumstances.  You would need to show these costs separately on your contract or invoice, and be able to prove to the IRS if audited, that this was an extra cost caused by your medical condition.

The rest of the cost counts as a home improvement and is not a deductible medical expense.  Home improvements add to the value of your home and might reduce your capital gains tax when you sell, but are not deductible now.  Appraisals have nothing to do with it.  You add the cost of the improvement, to the cost you paid for the home, along with any other improvements you have made such as new roof, new furnace, etc.  This is only important when you sell the home.

[Opus 17]

No.  Any home improvement costs add to the cost basis of your home and increase its value, so they aren't deductible. They may reduce your capital gains when you sell.

The only part of the cost that is deductible as a medical expense is any extra cost that is medically necessary because of your condition, such as maybe a transfer lift, or levelling and grading that were needed in order to put in a wheelchair path or ramp.