Tax questions

cowboyclint25

Redshirt
Jan 14, 2006
1,115
20
0
As I have became a property owner this last year, it will be my first year doing itemized taxes instead of the short form. That being said, in addition to mortgage interest, improvements, ect I am trying to figure out what else I can claim.

I take Zyrtec D everyday, which adds up - my mother says I can claim this? Thats not correct is it??

Also, I have a agriculture tax exempt number so I don't pay taxes on my horse and cattle feed - can I still claim this?
 

poke2001

Heisman
May 29, 2001
259,933
47,863
0
Not correct. I don't see any way you can claim OTC medicine. Medical in general is very tough. You have to spend over 8% of our AGI before you can start claiming medical (I think 8, somewhere in that ballpark).
Posted from Rivals Mobile
 

gipraw

All-Conference
Aug 10, 2003
17,032
3,953
113
You can only deduct un-reimbursed total medical expenses that exceed 10% of your AGI.

Used to be 7.5% , but that changed this year .. unless you are over 65, then you get two more years at 7.5%
 

gipraw

All-Conference
Aug 10, 2003
17,032
3,953
113
You can use your Medical FSA to pay for the Zyrtec if you can get your doctor to write a prescription for it.
 
Jun 11, 2001
25,255
29,237
68
A pretty significant change to the FSA account rules under the Obama administration was that OTC medicine can only flow through your FSA if you have a script as someone mentioned above. Dick move in my opinion.

He also limited the FSA medical account limit to $2500. Thanks again, dick.

Both of the above are effectively regressive changes to the code.
Posted from Rivals Mobile
 

poke2001

Heisman
May 29, 2001
259,933
47,863
0
Regardless, you can't write off as deductions. And even if you did, it wouldn't do any good until you exceeded 10% of income, which for most people would be a lot of medical expenses (low income isn't itimizing, and that wouldn't be refundable...).
Posted from Rivals Mobile
 
Jun 11, 2001
25,255
29,237
68
Some things you may have that are common...student loan interest, property taxes on your home, charitable donations ($ or items)....maybe mortgage insurance (was deductible at some point)...not much based on the info provided.

There may be special rules with respect to your cattle/horse expenses (state and federal), but im not positive. You may have to own a farm. I'd research it though.
Posted from Rivals Mobile
 

JimmyBob

Heisman
May 29, 2001
17,342
22,135
93
Originally posted by cowboyclint25:
As I have became a property owner this last year, it will be my first year doing itemized taxes instead of the short form. That being said, in addition to mortgage interest, improvements, ect I am trying to figure out what else I can claim.

I take Zyrtec D everyday, which adds up - my mother says I can claim this? Thats not correct is it??

Also, I have a agriculture tax exempt number so I don't pay taxes on my horse and cattle feed - can I still claim this?




Don't do your own taxes; pay a CPA. I'm a retired CPA - not in public practice since '80 - the tax code is way too complicated for free internet advice.
 

pokemagain

Junior
Sep 14, 2001
4,847
232
63
Sounds like your tax return should be fairly straightforward. My recommendation is to use one of the tax return software programs (TurboTax, Taxact). These programs guide you through all facets of the tax return and are very user friendly. They handle both federal and state returns electronically. I have been using TaxAct for the last 6 years and it cost me $35 to file including electronic transfer of my refunds to my bank account.