As a full time seller is there a case to write off a prosthetic leg in whole or part?
As a full time seller is there a case to write off a prosthetic leg in whole or part as a business expense? I already know I can write off a separate work wheelchair, but I am not paying for a separate work prosthetic.
I am 100 percent unable to do my job without both pieces of equipment.
I am not paying for an accountant to answer a simple question, there has to be existing IRS guidance in an article somewhere about this subject.
14 comments
sextons-sweet-deals
·2 years agoYou probably need to talk to a local accountant about all this. They may even suggest that you and your wife file separate. Talk to your friends / neighbor's / your disability services if you have one. They can probably suggest a reasonable accountant. You may get free service / advice.
Can you elaborate on your comment?
I am 100 percent unable to do my job without both pieces of equipment.
This is where you might be trying to cross / mix hobby, disability, business expense, and claiming you're paying yourself to work. I believe that is not a claim you can make as an eBay seller and paying yourself as an employee.
So many questions can be asked here. I'm sure others could add on.
1. Are you drawing some kind of disability now?
2. How long have you had the prosthetic leg? Who paid for it? I have no clue if you can claim that every year or just the first year you got it and if you even paid for it out of pocket.
3. Are you limited on the amount of income you can make on disability?
Medical expenses are normal for annual doctor visits / medical expenses to claim along with property taxes and license plates fees.
Best wishes!
onefootflipper
OP2 years ago1. I am not on any kind of disability.
2. My current prosthetic leg was paid for by myself and insurance. I believe I paid like $8000 and insurance paid the rest. However my current one needs to be replaced, the socket doesn't fit and the knee is blown out.
3. I am not on disability.
I am a sole proprietor and not an LLC that employs myself. I do not use my prosthetic leg in the home at all. I only put it on to leave the house. I am not able to source merchandise at garage sales or the goodwill outlet without the leg. I do also bring the wheelchair to goodwill outlet with me to crash into after I fill my cart because I can only stand up for a limited amount of time. I am not particularly worried about the wheelchair costs, my current one is fine, and I am also absolutely fine with those cheap ones instead of the expensive ones.
susanb1872
·2 years agoIf you itemize your deductions on Schedule A, medical expenses are allowed that exceed 7.5% of your AGI (based on 2022). If not, others have given good advice to follow-up for a possible business deduction.
redlinear
·2 years agoNow I have to watch Guardians of the Galaxy again
chariot_badges
·2 years agoI dunno.
Can I write off my eyeglasses?
The $500 a month meds I take to stay alive?
onefootflipper
OP2 years agoIf you itemize you can write those off on your personal taxes. My house is paid for and I am married filing jointly so I don't have enough specifics to itemize which is the only reason I talking about all this in the first place.
luckythewinner
·2 years ago"For goods and services not required or used, other than incidentally, in your personal activities"
If your meds keep you alive, the IRS would suggest that they are required in your personal activities and not just for work.
caldreamer
·2 years agoAccording to IRS.gov website anyone with disability can take "business deduction" for expenses necessary to help you work.
ebeths_eclectic_collectibles
·2 years agoYou can always call the IRS. They actually can be very helpful
onefootflipper
OP2 years agoThanks for finding that. All my business stuff is on schedule C, but I was glad to see there was some guidance in an actual IRS publication.
toomuchstuffagain35
·2 years agoThen it looks like you enter it on your Schedule C -
"If you are self-employed, enter your impairment-related work expenses on the appropriate Form (Schedule C, E, or F) used to report your business income and expenses."
toomuchstuffagain35
·2 years agoIf there is, you'd have to work out how often you don't actually wear it while working.
I recall you saying once it gets in the way when you're pulling orders etc.
onefootflipper
OP2 years agoThe at home part of my work is 100 percent done in a wheelchair. I already have a separate work wheelchair for the basement (the basement is 100 percent the business other than the laundry room).
However the outside the house part of the job requires the leg 100 percent of the time. I can't pick garage sales or navigate the goodwill outlet without the leg. I only wear the leg outside the house and easily half the time I leave the house it is work related.
toomuchstuffagain35
·2 years ago@onefootflipper
Found this.
Per IRS Publication 463 Travel, Gift, and Car Expenses, page 35:
You can deduct impairment-related expenses as business expenses if they are:
Enter the impairment-related work expenses on Form 2106 Employee Business Expenses, which will transfer to Schedule A Itemized Deductions, Line 16.