Form 8853 Section C LTC Period Method

[WA_Paul]

I am filing my father-in-law's taxes. He received a 1099-LTC. For Box 3, Reimbursed amount is checked. For Box 4, Qualified contract is checked. Per diem is NOT checked in Box 3.  For line 21 of Form 8853, there are two methods/options for the LTC period. Can I use Method 1 (Contract Period) even though the insurance company varied payment amounts during the contract payment period? If I use Method 2 (Equal Payment Rate), I end up with 10 Form 8853s. The problem is that with that many 8853s, I cannot file electronically. My father-in-law moved assisted living facilities during 2024 and that is part of the reason the payments varied.

[MarilynG1]

Actually, the 1099-LTC distribution amount and the amount of long-term care medical expenses entered should wash each other out.  You're just reporting the expense/reimbursement.  

You definitely don't want multiple forms 8853. Enter the total distribution amount on the 1099-LTC, then enter the total LTC expenses as the same amount. You may want to use the interview mode to report this.

Here's more info on Form 8853.

•  From the top, select tab Federal Taxes / Wages and Income    
• Scroll down to Less Common Income section.   
• Choose Miscellaneous Income, 1099-A, 1099-C / Start
• Scroll down to Long-term care account distributions (Form 1099-LTC), select Start 

@WA_Paul