Medical Mileage

[casskhav]

I drive my (95 year old) father to his medical appointments in my car. He is telling me that he can claim the mileage that I am driving on *his* taxes. This doesn't seem right to me and I don't want to keep track of all that data if I don't have to. I am happy to do it if it is a legitimate deduction for him -- but I need to know what the actual rules are.

Thanks!

[pk]

@casskhav  medical miles deduction is  at 16 cents per mile driven and is claimed  ONLY when one itemizes.  Since you are doing the driving, you could claim these miles , if you itemize  and  for yourself or for a dependent.

Since the tax law changes in 2017/18  ( TCJA ) , with increased standard deduction, itemized deduction has lost some its charm ( esp. because of the SALT and mortgage  interest changes/limitations).

Does this help ?

[Critter-3]

What he can deduct on his return is the cost to go to the doctor ... so if he pays you or a cab for the ride that is what he can deduct.  Since he is not your dependent you have nothing you can deduct. 

[Mike9241]

he can't claim them because he didn't incur (pay) the cost you did. for you to claim the expense you would have to claim him as a dependent or could have been able to claim him as a dependent except that his gross income is more than $4,300. 

[casskhav]

Thank you everyone for your help. This is exactly what I thought - I just needed verification.