Is That Care Expense Deductible? (Spoiler: Yes, Sometimes)


Smart Money, Made Simple

Navigating Your Financial Future Doesn't Have to be a Headache

Hey there,

Here’s something you don’t hear every day: long-term care costs can sometimes be tax-deductible. No, really!

If you’re helping your parents with elder care, assisted living, or medical appointments, there’s a chance Uncle Sam might actually give you a little relief—if you know how to ask.


What counts?

  • Memory care
  • In-home caregivers
  • Assisted living (when it’s for medical need)
  • Even mileage to medical appointments- yes, start saving those gas receipts

Here’s the really good news: if you’re paying directly for your parents’ care, the Qualified Medical Expense exception can keep those payments from being considered a “gift.”

Translation: you’re helping your parents and not cutting into the estate tax exemption.


The takeaway:
Caregiving is already a big responsibility, financially and emotionally. But with the right strategy, the costs don’t have to be all on you. Sometimes the tax code actually plays nice!


Want to know if your family qualifies?

Get a Life Audit and we’ll walk through the options together.


Warmly,

Chad Holmes, CFP®, CPA, CPWA®

Founder | Financial Planner | Author

www.formulawealth.com

(901) 262-1281 Cell

P.S. Sadly, Costco-size chocolate purchases don’t count as medical expenses. (I checked!)

Check Out The Inheritance Playbook

Copyright (C) 2025, Formula Wealth. All rights reserved.

Follow us on Social Media!

The Formula Wealth Report

Short, simple action steps to help families like yours avoid probate, save on taxes, and be prepared when “the time” comes. It’s written with heart, a little humor, and zero fluff. If you want practical tips on being a good steward of your parents’ legacy (and your own), sign up here! MUST CONFIRM SUBSCRIPTION - CHECK SPAM FOLDER AFTER SUBSCRIBING FOR THE LINK!

Read more from The Formula Wealth Report

Smart Money, Made Simple Navigating Your Financial Future Doesn't Have to be a Headache Valentine’s Day is all about love, right? Flowers, chocolate, maybe even a handwritten card if you’re feeling fancy! Want to keep family harmony sweeter than a heart-shaped box of chocolates? Make sure surprise taxes don’t crash the party. Think of that IRA as a Valentine’s sampler… except every piece is filled with taxes. And when Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) kick in, the IRS comes knocking for...

Smart Money, Made Simple Navigating Your Financial Future Doesn't Have to be a Headache When you hear “power of attorney,” you probably picture a lawyer pounding a desk, dramatic music swelling in the background. Reality check: it’s usually more like, “Uh…where’s that form? Is it even valid? And why is the bank staring at me like I just asked to rob the place?” Here’s the deal. A POA isn’t just a dusty piece of paper—it’s your ticket to step in and actually do something when your parents...

Smart Money, Made Simple Navigating Your Financial Future Doesn't Have to be a Headache Happy New Year! While everyone else is vowing to eat more kale and actually use their gym membership, here’s a resolution that really matters: keeping your family out of probate. Probate is basically the DMV of estates—slow, expensive, and public. And nobody wants their loved ones waiting in that line when things could’ve been handled with a little planning. The tools that actually work: TOD (Transfer on...