Can I deduct car payments on a modified van we purchased in a previous year?

[JohnduBois]

Good afternoon,

We purchased an wheelchair accessible van in 2020, but did not deduct it from our taxes at that time because we did not think of it. We don't want to try to go back and amend our 2020 return (if that's even possible).

Are we allowed to calculate the portion of the van's price that accounted for the modifications and deduct that percentage of our car payments from our 2022 taxes?

[JohnB5677]

Yes, The IRS allows individuals to deduct the cost of medical equipment, including wheelchair vans, from their taxes if they qualify for the Durable Medical Equipment (DME) tax deduction.  You must have a doctor that prescribed it.

• It will have to be an amended return for 2020.
• You can file the amended return up to April 15th, 2024.
• It would be included as a medical expense.
• Medical deductions are limited.  For tax year 2022, the IRS allows a taxpayer to deduct their total qualified unreimbursed medical care expenses that exceed 7.5% of their adjusted gross income if the taxpayer uses IRS Schedule A to itemize their deductions.