Personal expenses/caregiving for elderly parents

[ngoatman]

Throughout 2020 I incurred numerous personal expenses, mostly related to airfare and other travel expenses, to care for my 88 year old mother (who was incapacitated/recovering from two falls) and my 90 year old father whose health declined over several months and who eventually died. Specific questions are:

1. Are my travel expenses deductible on MY 2020 taxes if: a) my parents were not living with me or claimed as dependents on my return and b) filed a 2020 return in their name (actually, I filed it on their behalf)?

2. On what form would these travel expenses be recorded on MY return?

3. Is there a $3000/parent credit or deduction for my personal caregiving? I was in their home in another state exclusively caring for both of them for approx 1/2 of 2020.

[xmasbaby0]

So sorry---but there are no deductions for your situation.   You parents are not claimed as your dependents on your tax return.  You cannot claim anything for the personal expenses of traveling to help them.   And, no, there is not a a credit for caregiving.  The child and dependent care credit is only used when you pay someone to take care of your dependent so that you can work.  That does not apply to your situation either.   

[SweetieJean]

1) and 2)  Your travel expenses are not deductible.  

3)  There is no such Federal $3,000 deduction.  To which state are you referring?

[ngoatman]

I live in MD, my parents live in FL.  Thus, I travelled 14 times to and/or from MD-FL to care for them in 2020.

[ngoatman]

OK, thank you for this clarification. Your answer confirms my impressions but my situation has been so chaotic and unusual (and EXPENSIVE!) I thought I'd verify before hitting "submit."