Elder Care & Planning

August 21, 2023

Elder care planning is an essential component of your family’s financial future. Discover helpful tips for maximinig your money here.

March 3, 2022

The annual inflation rate in the U.S. accelerated to 7.5% in January of 2022, the highest since February of 1982, hitting those on fixed retirement income, namely seniors, the hardest.

May 2, 2023

Because people are living longer now than ever before, many individuals are serving as care providers for elderly loved ones (such as parents or spouses) who cannot live independently. Such individuals often have questions regarding the tax ramifications associated with the cost of such care.

June 20, 2017

Some retirees are faced with mounting debt and inadequate income. What options do these seniors have, especially if they have a mortgage on their home and their retirement income is too low to cover the mortgage payments and have enough left over to have some enjoyment in their golden years?

August 1, 2013

With individuals living longer, we frequently find ourselves in the position of caregiver for elderly or incapacitated individuals. Whether you’re caring for an incapacitated or elderly spouse, an elderly parent, or even a child, understanding potential tax advantages can relieve some of the financial burden associated with being a caregiver. The following are some tax aspects of taking on the care of an elderly or incapacitated individual.

December 8, 2014

Amounts paid for special equipment installed in the home or for improvements may be included in medical expenses, if their main purpose is medical care for the taxpayer, the spouse, or a dependent. The cost of permanent improvements that increase the value of the property may be partly included as a medical expense. The cost of the improvement is reduced by the increase in the value of the property. The difference is a medical expense. If the value of the property is not increased by the improvement, the entire cost is included as a medical expense.

December 6, 2014

Some retirement homes and care facilities require the payment of an up front life-care fee, sometimes referred to as a “founder’s fee.” The question arises whether or not that fee might be deductible as a medical expense.

December 8, 2014

If you employ someone who works in your home, you may be subject to household employment taxes. This tax is sometimes referred to as the “Nanny Tax,” which is misleading because it also applies to a nurse, caregiver, maid, gardener, etc. This is the same tax that you may have read about where some politicians and people in high places have been brought to task for avoiding.

December 4, 2014

Inflation, inadequate retirement planning, medical costs, retiring too early and financial casualties can all strain the financial resources of elderly individuals. When looking for financial resources to supplement their existing retirement income, one might consider one or both of the following options.

December 4, 2014

Wages and other amounts paid for nursing services can be included in medical expenses. Services need not be performed by a nurse as long as the services are of a kind generally performed by a nurse. This includes services connected with caring for the patient's condition, such as giving medication or changing dressings, as well as bathing and grooming the patient.

December 4, 2014

A multiple support agreement is used when two or more people provide more than half of a person's support, but no one alone provides more than half. Whoever is considered to have provided more than half of a person's support under such an agreement can deduct medical expenses paid.

December 10, 2014

With people living longer, many find themselves becoming the care provider for elderly parents, spouses and others who can no longer live independently. When this happens, questions always come up regarding the tax ramifications associated with the cost of nursing homes or in-home care.

December 4, 2014

Medical expenses paid for dependents may be deducted. To claim these expenses, the person must have been a dependent either at the time the medical services were provided or at the time the expenses were paid. The qualifications for a medical dependent are less stringent than those for a regular dependent.

December 6, 2014

Generally, after an individual has used up all of their resources, Medicaid will step in to provide the ongoing care of the individual. Medicaid is usually a combined Federal and state program that pays for health and long-term care for eligible low-income citizens and legal residents of the United States.

December 11, 2014

With people generally living longer, we frequently find ourselves in the position of a caregiver for elderly or incapacitated individuals. Whether the individual is an incapacitated or elderly spouse, an elderly parent or even a child, there are tax implications that need to be considered that can relieve some of the financial burden associated with being a caregiver. The following are some tax aspects of taking on the care of an elderly or incapacitated individual.

December 11, 2014

When the elderly reach the point that they can no longer care for themselves, there are generally two courses of action available to the caregiver: (1) Provide for in-home care, or (2) place the individual in a care facility.