"Mark Bole" <makbo[at]pacbell.net> wrote in message
news:aO_Zk.1592$jZ1.1289[at]flpi144.ffdc.sbc.com...
- quote -

Thanks for your response. She had a tooth extracted early this year by a
dental surgeon and an implant installed. The final step is a crown which is
done by her regular dentist and cannot be done until the first or second
quarter of 2009 when the implant heals sufficently. The insurance will pay
little of the implant costs and we are not sure how much it will play for
the crown. We are both retired and our dental insurance is pretty poor when
compared to what we had when we were working.

I'm going to purchase (as I do each year at this time) TurboTax or Tax Cut
shortly so I can get a handle on what my tax situation is and if I need to
pay estimated taxes in Dec. With the stock market in the tank, the large
mutual fund distributions that we have received the past few years will be
pretty much zero this year so that will help.

--
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Alan wrote:
- quote -

The language in Pub 502 refers to not deducting expenses in the current
year for care "provided substantially beyond the end of the year", so if
the work is largely complete by the end of the year, that would qualify.
Why can't she just receive and pay for the treatment this year?

Just as important as the timing is the nature of the expense, is it
cosmetic (not deductible), or to treat or prevent an illness or defect?

You should also do what you can to lower your AGI in order to increase
the amount of medical expenses that fall above 7.5% of AGI (10% if
subject to AMT). Capital losses and IRA contributions are two common
items you may have some control over.

Also consider establishing a health savings account or employer-provided
flex spending account, then next year's expenses will be fully
deductible no matter what.

Last and probably least, if your wife has her own income subject to tax
but it's significantly lower than yours, and she pays the expenses from
her own funds, there might be some benefit to filing separately this
year (larger amount deductible by her if she can still itemize), but the
rules for figuring who actually paid are strict, especially if you are
in a community property state. And of course, under MFS if one of you
itemizes, you both must, plus there are many other potential drawbacks.

-Mark Bole

--
<< ------------------------------------------------------- > << The foregoing was not intended or written to be used, > << nor can it used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties > << that may be imposed upon the taxpayer. > << > << The Charter and the Guidelines for submitting posts > << to this newsgroup as well as our anti-spamming policy > << are at www.asktax.org. > << Copyright (2007) - All rights reserved. > << ------------------------------------------------------- >

Bob L wrote:
- quote -

expenses you prepay unless you are contractually obligated to
make the payment in advance of services. In other words, unless
the doctor/dentist required an advance payment in 2008, you can
not take a deduction in 2008.

--
<< ------------------------------------------------------- > << The foregoing was not intended or written to be used, > << nor can it used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties > << that may be imposed upon the taxpayer. > << > << The Charter and the Guidelines for submitting posts > << to this newsgroup as well as our anti-spamming policy > << are at www.asktax.org. > << Copyright (2007) - All rights reserved. > << ------------------------------------------------------- >

My wife has had some extensive and costly dental work done in 2008 and will
face some more costs early 2009. As a result, we should be able to itemize
our medical costs on Schedule A for 2008. The dentist seems okay with us
prepaying some of the 2009 estimated costs before year end. If we prepay
some of next year's cost now will we be able to deduct those costs this
year?

--
<< ------------------------------------------------------- > << The foregoing was not intended or written to be used, > << nor can it used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties > << that may be imposed upon the taxpayer. > << > << The Charter and the Guidelines for submitting posts > << to this newsgroup as well as our anti-spamming policy > << are at www.asktax.org. > << Copyright (2007) - All rights reserved. > << ------------------------------------------------------- >