"Wayne Brasch" <waynebrasch[at]stowetel.com> writes:

- quote -

Not exactly. It doesn't matter how much SS he receives,
none of it counts as support unless he pays for support
items. He could bank all his SS and none of it would be
considered to be support.

Phil Marti
Clarksburg, MD

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Norm wrote:

- quote -

You must provide more than 50% of his total support to clain
an exemption for him.

So then, total support: If he gets 1000$ per month SS,
that's probably after a deduction of about 65$, whatever,
for medicare part B. Which means he grosses about 1,065$
per month.

Total support is 1,780, plus that 65$, plus the 70 you spend
= $1,915. (check my math now) Half of that equals 958$.
You provide the difference (780$) plus the 70$ per month,
i.e. 850$. Assuming these monthly figures hold true for
12 months, doesn't look like you are providing more than
half total support, hence no exemption.

Merry Christmas!
Harlan Lunsford, EA n LA

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Arthur L. Rubin wrote:

- quote -

I should have added, that the spending need be on things
other than what is considered "support".

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"Norm" <ad6si[at]yahoo.com> wrote:

- quote -

Whoever furnishes more than 50% of his TOTAL support for the
year may claim him. Total support includes any support he
receives from you and everyone else including Social
Security, etc.

Wayne Brasch, CPA, M. S. Taxation

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ad6si[at]yahoo.com (Norm) posted:

- quote -

Sorry, no. You pass all of the tests to qualify claiming
your father as a dependent, except for the "Support" test:
You don't contribute more than half of the total support for
the year, based on your own statement that each month his
Social Security covers $1,000 of the $1850 needed ($1780 +
$70).

But you're a good son, and there is said to be a higher form
of credit for honoring thy father.

Bill

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"Norm" <ad6si[at]yahoo.com> writes:

- quote -

Based on the facts given, no. The only possible tax
benefits would be dependency (and Head of Household filing
status if you're unmarried) and deducting his medical
expenses you paid. However, both those require that you
provide more than half his support for the year, and you're
not doing that.

You're pretty close, though. You might run some numbers and
see what would happen overall if you did pay more than half
his support while he just saved a little of his SS benefit.
Details about dependency, filing status and medical expenses
are in IRS Publications 501 and 502.

Phil Marti
Clarksburg, MD

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Norm wrote:

- quote -

If you supplied over half of his support, you could claim
him as a dependent, and deduct (at least part) of your costs
as medical expenses. However, the numbers don't add up.

Unless he is in a means-tested program, may I suggest that
he save (or spend or give you) about $200 per month of the
Social Security "check", and have you make up the rest of
his costs. This will save money in the long term, especially
if you are his heir. (If he's not legally competent, giving
you the money won't work.)

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My 86 year old Father lives in an assisted care home costing
$1780 per month. He gets about $1000 from Social Security.
I make up the difference plus $70/mo for HMO. Can I get any
credit for this when I file my taxes?

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