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New Member
posted Jan 29, 2025 12:56:07 PM

I became disabled this year and I have to use a wheelchair. How does this affect my taxes? If at all thank you so much TurboTax Community for your help [PII removed]

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2 Replies
Expert Alumni
Jan 29, 2025 1:01:02 PM

It depends.  If you have taxable income and your deductions are greater than the standard deduction, then possibly your medical expenses could be used.  See the standard deductions for your filing status and age below.

 

You can use this on medical portion of itemized deductions if you have overall deductions greater than the standard deductions.  Keep in mind that medical expenses must be greater than 7.5% of your adjusted gross income (AGI) or none of them will be used. 

 

Other common deductions are real estate or property taxes, local and state income taxes, donations. 

 

Standard deductions for your convenience:

For single taxpayers and married individuals filing separately, the standard deduction is $14,600 in 2024.

 

For married couples filing jointly or a Qualified Surviving Spouse, the standard deduction  is $29,200, and  

For head of household, the standard deduction is $21,900

  

If you're at least 65 years old or blind, you can claim an additional deduction in 2024 of:

  • $1,950 for single or Head of Household
  • $1,550 for married or Qualified Surviving Spouse.
  • If you're both 65 and blind, the additional deduction amount is doubled. 

For more information, see What's my standard deduction for 2024? 

 

Be sure to check with your state for rules they may have.

Level 15
Jan 29, 2025 1:02:54 PM

So sorry for your health issues.   We need more information.   Are you receiving disability income?   Is it from Social Security or from some other source--like through your employer?   If you had high medical expenses that you paid out of pocket, you may enter those as medical expenses in Deductions and Credits.  You can enter the amount you paid for the wheelchair or any adaptive mobility aids you needed for your home, etc.

 

The medical deduction is really hard to get unless you also have other itemized deductions like mortgage interest or property tax.

 

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 2024—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

 

 

2024 STANDARD DEDUCTION AMOUNTS

SINGLE $14,600    (65 or older/legally blind + $1950)

MARRIED FILING SEPARATELY            $14,600    (65 or older/legally blind + $1550)

MARRIED FILING JOINTLY $29,200    (65 or older/legally blind + $1550)

HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD $21,900    (65 or older/legally blind + $1950)