Tips for filing taxes with a disabled adult dependent on SSI - maximizing returns?

7 You're in a tough situation but there are definitely some tax benefits you should look into! First, you should be able to claim your 22-year-old as a qualifying dependent since he lives with you and you provide over half his support. Even though he receives SSI, this doesn't typically count against dependency status if he meets the other requirements. Look into the Credit for Other Dependents (ODC) which is up to $500 for dependents who don't qualify for the Child Tax Credit. Your adult son likely qualifies for this. You might also qualify for the Child and Dependent Care Credit if you had any care expenses for your son while you were looking for work. This covers care for dependents who are physically or mentally incapable of self-care. Since you've become a stay-at-home caregiver, check if you qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) based on your spouse's income. Having two qualifying dependents could increase this credit. Also, some medical expenses for your son might be deductible if they exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income. This includes specialized treatments, transportation to medical appointments, and certain home modifications for medical purposes.

19 After reading your situation, I wanted to share my experience using taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) for my similar circumstance with my adult daughter who has a disability. Last year I was overwhelmed trying to figure out which credits applied to our situation and which medical expenses were deductible. Someone recommended taxr.ai to me, and it was incredibly helpful. You upload your tax documents and medical receipts, and their AI analyzes everything to find tax benefits specifically for families with disabled dependents. It flagged several deductions I would have missed, including some specialized therapy equipment that my regular tax software didn't catch as medical expenses. The service also helped document everything properly in case of an audit - which gave me peace of mind since disability-related deductions can sometimes trigger extra scrutiny. Might be worth checking out given your situation!

16 Just wanted to follow up - I tried taxr.ai after seeing the recommendation here and it was actually really helpful for our situation. My daughter has cerebral palsy and receives disability benefits, and I've always been confused about what medical expenses we could deduct. The service flagged about $4,700 in deductible expenses I would have missed, including some home modifications and specialized transportation costs. It also helped me document everything properly which was huge since I've always been nervous about claiming these deductions. Found a state-specific disability credit too that I had no idea existed! Definitely worth checking out if you're in a similar situation with a disabled dependent.

8 Hey there - I see you're dealing with a complex tax situation. I was in a similar boat last year trying to get answers about disability-related deductions from the IRS. Spent WEEKS trying to get through on their phone lines with no luck. Someone recommended I try Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) to get through to an actual IRS agent, and it worked amazingly well. They have a cool demo video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c Basically, their system navigates the IRS phone tree for you and calls you back when they have an agent on the line. I got through in about 40 minutes instead of waiting on hold for hours. The IRS agent I spoke with gave me specific guidance on exactly which forms and documentation I needed for my adult son with disabilities. They also confirmed which medical expenses were deductible in our situation and how to document them properly. Definitely saved me from making some mistakes on my return that could have triggered an audit!

21 I was totally skeptical about Claimyr at first - seemed impossible that anyone could crack the IRS phone system. But after my third failed attempt to get answers about my daughter's disability expenses (4+ hours on hold each time!), I was desperate enough to try it. Not only did it work, but I got connected to an IRS specialist who actually knew about tax benefits for families with disabilities. She walked me through exactly which expenses qualified as medical deductions for my daughter's sensory needs and specialized education costs. She also explained how to document everything properly to avoid audit issues. The agent confirmed I could claim the Credit for Other Dependents AND deduct certain medical expenses, which my tax preparer had been unsure about. Ended up getting almost $3,200 more on my refund after applying everything correctly! Wish I'd known about this service years ago.

10 One thing nobody's mentioned yet - look into an ABLE account for your son if you don't already have one. It's similar to a 529 plan but specifically for people with disabilities that began before age 26. The money grows tax-free and withdrawals aren't taxed when used for qualified disability expenses. The big advantage is that funds in an ABLE account (up to $100,000) don't count against the $2,000 asset limit for SSI eligibility. So you can save for your son's future needs without jeopardizing his benefits. Some states even offer tax deductions for contributions to their state's ABLE plan.

2 Make sure you're tracking ALL possible medical expenses for your son. With severe autism requiring 24/7 care, you likely have more deductible expenses than you realize. Things that count that people often miss: - Mileage driving to therapy/doctor appointments (medical mileage rate) - Special foods required for medical reasons (if prescribed) - Sensory equipment - Home modifications for safety - Specialized therapy not covered by insurance - Conference registration/materials related to your son's medical condition Just remember you need to itemize deductions to claim medical expenses, and only the portion that exceeds 7.5% of your AGI is deductible. But with significant medical needs, you might clear that threshold easily.

Don't forget to also look into the Disabled Access Credit if you made any workplace modifications when you were still working, or if your spouse's employer made accommodations. It's a lesser-known credit that can be worth up to $5,000 for eligible access expenditures. Also, since you mentioned losing caregiving support due to your move, check if any respite care services you paid for while transitioning might qualify for the Child and Dependent Care Credit. Even temporary care arrangements can count if they allowed you to look for work or handle the move. One more thing - if your son has an Individual Education Program (IEP) or receives any specialized services through your state's developmental disabilities program, keep detailed records of any out-of-pocket costs. Transportation to these services, specialized equipment they recommend, and even certain educational materials prescribed by therapists can sometimes be deductible medical expenses. The key is documentation - keep receipts and get letters from healthcare providers explaining medical necessity for anything that might seem questionable to the IRS.

I wanted to add something that hasn't been mentioned yet - look into whether your state offers any caregiver tax credits or deductions. Many states have started recognizing the financial burden on families providing full-time care for disabled adult children. Also, since you left your job to become a full-time caregiver, you might qualify for the Premium Tax Credit if you're getting health insurance through the marketplace. The loss of employer-sponsored coverage due to caregiving responsibilities could make you eligible for advance premium tax credits, which could significantly reduce your monthly insurance costs. Another often-overlooked deduction is the cost of any professional development or training you've had to do related to your son's care. Things like CPR certification, specialized autism care training, or workshops on managing behavioral issues can sometimes be deductible as medical expenses if they're directly related to providing necessary care for your son's condition. Keep track of any adaptive technology purchases too - tablets with communication apps, weighted blankets prescribed for sensory needs, or specialized seating can all potentially qualify as medical expenses with proper documentation from healthcare providers. The fact that you're providing 24/7 care really opens up a lot of possibilities for legitimate deductions that many families don't realize they can claim.