IRS Hardship Status for Medical Expenses - How to Apply?

Yes, medical expenses can absolutely qualify for hardship status. It's actually much easier than getting an audit reconsideration or penalty abatement. The key is documenting everything properly - way more straightforward than when I had to prove business expenses during my S-corp audit. You'll need to submit Form 911 (Taxpayer Advocate Service Application) with detailed documentation of the medical necessity and the insurance denial letter. The IRS is surprisingly reasonable with medical hardships compared to other types.

What's your current tax situation? Do you owe back taxes that you're trying to delay payment on, or are you seeking a refund advance based on hardship? The process differs significantly depending on your specific circumstances. Also, have you already attempted to set up an installment agreement before pursuing the hardship route?

I've been there. Medical bills are tough. Form 911 is your friend. Document everything. Keep all receipts. Take photos. Make copies. The IRS wants proof. I used taxr.ai to understand my options. Helped me see what qualified as hardship. Showed me exactly what documents to gather. Made the process clearer. Worth checking out. Good luck with your daughter's situation.

I successfully got hardship status last year for my son's emergency surgery bills. According to irs.gov/taxpayer-advocate, you need to demonstrate that you're suffering or about to suffer a "significant hardship" as a result of the IRS's action (or inaction). In my case, I provided our hospital bills, proof of income, monthly expenses, and a detailed letter explaining why paying taxes immediately would prevent necessary medical care. The TAS (Taxpayer Advocate Service) assigned me a case advocate within 3 days who helped fast-track everything.

IME the hardship process can be super frustrating if you can't get thru to the right ppl at the IRS. Spent 2+ hrs on hold last month trying to explain my situation. If you're in a time crunch (and it sounds like you are), check out Claimyr.com. They got me connected to an actual IRS agent in like 20 mins instead of the usual hold hell. The agent walked me thru exactly what docs I needed for my hardship request & even flagged my acct. Def worth it when dealing w/ medical expense situations.

Just to clarify something important - a hardship designation through the Taxpayer Advocate Service (Form 911) is different from a Currently Not Collectible status (which is what they put you on if you can't pay). I applied for hardship on January 17th this year and received approval on February 3rd. The medical expenses need to be significant relative to your income, not just a specific dollar amount. My $2,800 medical bill qualified because it was more than 10% of my monthly income.

I went through a similar situation with my mother's unexpected cardiac procedure last year. The $3,400 amount you mentioned should definitely qualify, especially since it was insurance-denied and medically necessary. A few things that helped me: 1) Get a letter from the doctor explaining why the MRI with contrast was medically necessary - this carries more weight than just the bill, 2) Include your insurance denial letter with the specific reason for denial, 3) Calculate what percentage this represents of your monthly income (if it's over 7-10%, you're in good shape). The TAS was actually very responsive to medical hardship cases in my experience. Don't wait - file the Form 911 ASAP since you mentioned the April 15th deadline. The process took about 2-3 weeks for me, and they were able to provide relief while I worked out a payment plan.

I dealt with a similar medical hardship situation two years ago when my wife needed emergency surgery that insurance partially denied. The $3,400 you're facing should definitely qualify - here's what worked for me: Submit Form 911 immediately along with: 1) The complete medical records showing the MRI was ordered by your doctor, 2) Your insurance EOB (Explanation of Benefits) showing the denial, 3) A detailed financial statement showing your monthly income/expenses. The IRS considers medical expenses a priority hardship, especially when they're unexpected and medically necessary. In my case, they approved hardship status within 18 days and allowed me to defer payment while setting up a manageable installment plan. Pro tip: when you call the Taxpayer Advocate Service, mention it's for "medical hardship" right away - they have a separate queue that moves faster. Don't stress too much about the April 15th deadline - once you file Form 911, they typically put a hold on any collection activities while reviewing your case.