Deduction while living abroad Germany

[tdo061803]

I live in Germany in the entire 2019. When filing the medical and education expense, it asks me whether I have medical expenses I paid out of my own pocket or education expense. I have in Germany and I am able to claim some of them in Germany. In the case when I can already claim in Germany. If I say yes I would claim it 2 times. If no then it is not true. How should I answer?

[AmyC]

You can only claim the same expense once. You will want to claim any expenses not already claimed. As you have received a type of reimbursement by claiming them in Germany, they are not deductible here.

The IRS states:  "You must reduce your total medical expenses for the year by all reimbursements for medical expenses that you receive from insurance or other sources during the year."

Please click on this link to Medical Expenses for full instructions on what you can and cannot deduct.

[tdo061803]

AmyC 

Thank you for your answer. My question is: How should I answer since if I answer no I don't have medical expense it would not be a true statement.

[AmyC · Accepted solution]

The program is really asking if you have medical expenses to claim. That is a big difference in your situation.The program will carry any medical expenses you claim to the schedule A for a potential deduction. The program is not the IRS, it is just a go-between. It will not go on your tax return as a no.