Is a new premature birth counted as disabled?

[artmhol1987]

She was 3 months early

[Mike9241]

Permanent and Total Disability

A person has a permanent and total disability if both of the following apply:

• They can’t engage in any substantial gainful activity because of a physical or mental condition and
• A doctor determines their condition:
  • Has lasted continuously for at least a year or
  • Will last continuously for at least a year or
  • Can lead to death

How to Prove a Permanent and Total Disability

You must prove that your child has a permanent or total disability.

To prove your child's disability, get a letter from their doctor, healthcare provider or any social service program or agency that can verify their disability.

[xmasbaby0]

Do I get a credit or deduction if my child is disabled?

If your child is older than 12 and you need to pay someone to take care of him while you work, you can say he is disabled and you can still get the childcare credit on your federal return.   Or if he is 19 or older you may still be able to claim him as a qualifying child dependent on your federal return.

Aside from those things, there is no federal tax advantage to saying that your child is disabled.   Your state tax laws might be different.

And....hope your child is doing all right now.   If you had out of pocket medical expenses that you paid in 2023, enter them under medical expenses.   That deduction is hard to get, but it you are itemizing other deductions, enter them just in case it makes a difference.

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 2023—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

2023 STANDARD DEDUCTION AMOUNTS

SINGLE $13,850  (65 or older/legally blind + $1850)

MARRIED FILING SEPARATELY $13,850  (65 or older/legally blind + $1500)

MARRIED FILING JOINTLY $27,700  (65+/legally blind) )  + $1500 per spouse

HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD  $20,800 (65 or older/blind)  + $1850)