My mother passed and I paid her remaining medical bills through our joint checking account. Are they tax deductible for me?

[pmcallister]

I know they are tax deductible for the estate. Would this be better way to handle them even though paid through joint account? No separate estate account was set up.

[Anonymous_]

I am sorry for your loss.

Medical expenses would be deducted on your mother's final income tax return (if they exceed a certain amount). They would not be deductible on an estate income tax return (Form 1041).

[xmasbaby0]

So sorry for the loss of your mom.      And...unless you claimed your mother as a dependent on your own tax return, her medical expenses are not deductible on your own tax return.  Sorry.

When you prepare her final tax return, if there are enough itemized deductions to exceed her standard deduction, enter them on her tax return.   

MEDICAL EXPENSES

The medical expense deduction has to meet a rather large threshold before it can affect your return. The amount of medical (including dental, vision, etc.)  expenses that will count toward itemization is the amount that is OVER 7.5% of your adjusted gross income. You should only enter the amount that you paid in 2022—do not include any amounts that were covered by insurance or that are still outstanding.  Of course, your medical expenses plus your other itemized deductions still have to exceed your standard deduction before you will see a difference in your tax due or refund.

To enter your medical expenses go to Federal>Deductions and Credits>Medical>Medical Expenses

2022 STANDARD DEDUCTION AMOUNTS

SINGLE $12,950  (65 or older + $1750)

MARRIED FILING SEPARATELY $12,950  (65 or older + $1750)

MARRIED FILING JOINTLY $25,900  (65 or older + $1400 per spouse)

HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD  $19,400  (65 or older +$1750)

Legally Blind + $1750

[fanfare]

your mother cannot deduct medical costs paid by insurance or by others.

Since they're not your medical costs, you can't deduct them either.

HOWEVER, 

since it is a joint account that makes a difference  on her return, maybe.

@pmcallister 

[NCperson]

@fanfare but he can deduct her medical costs if he is able to claim her as a dependent, he itemized and all medical costs exceed 7.5% of his income.

it is not clear from the post if he can claim her or not.