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estalnj
New Member

Had to install a generator for my cpap monitor and my pacemaker monitor can I claim any of the generator expense under medical expenses?

 
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3 Replies

Had to install a generator for my cpap monitor and my pacemaker monitor can I claim any of the generator expense under medical expenses?

is this a whole house generator or can it only be used with the CPAP and pacemaker monitor?

You can include in medical expenses amounts you pay for
special equipment installed in a home, or for improvements,
if their main purpose is medical care for you, your
spouse, or your dependent. The cost of permanent improvements
that increase the value of your property may
be partly included as a medical expense. The cost of the
improvement is reduced by the increase in the value of
your property. The difference is a medical expense. If the
value of your property isn't increased by the improvement,
the entire cost is included as a medical expense.

example

1. Enter the amount you paid for the home improvement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $25,000
2. Enter the value of your home immediately after the improvement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$450,000
3. Enter the value of your home immediately before the improvement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $440,000
4. Subtract line 3 from line 2. This is the increase in the value of your home due to the
improvement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                                                                                 $10,000.
• If line 4 is more than or equal to line 1, you have no medical expenses due to the home
improvement; stop here.
• If line 4 is less than line 1, go to line 5.
5. Subtract line 4 from line 1. These are your medical expenses due to the home
improvement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                                                                                      $15,000

 

 

 

KrisD15
Expert Alumni

Had to install a generator for my cpap monitor and my pacemaker monitor can I claim any of the generator expense under medical expenses?

Yes, if the main purpose of the generator is for medical use. 

 

If the generator is used for other purposes, or adds value to your home, the deduction may be limited. 

If you use it for other purposes, only deduct the percentage of use for the medical devices. 

If it adds value to the property, subtract the increase of value from the cost of the generator. 

 

According to the IRS:

"You can include in medical expenses amounts you pay for special equipment installed in a home, or for improvements, if their main purpose is medical care for you, your spouse, or your dependent. The cost of permanent improvements that increase the value of your property may be partly included as a medical expense. The cost of the improvement is reduced by the increase in the value of your property. The difference is a medical expense. If the value of your property isn't increased by the improvement, the entire cost is included as a medical expense."

 

IRS LINK

 

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Had to install a generator for my cpap monitor and my pacemaker monitor can I claim any of the generator expense under medical expenses?

While the two previous answers are correct, the practical answer in your case is no.  The generator presumably serves the whole house, and it counts as an improvement to the home, which is not deductible now but may reduce your capital gains when you sell.

 

If you paid extra specifically for medical reasons, which does not increase the value of the home and is not a home improvement, that extra amount would be a medical deduction.  (For example, if you had to install a power conditioner because the power requirements of the medical equipment are more precise than the requirements for household appliances, that extra cost might be a medical expense deduction.)

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