Our Annual Tax Reminder

As you begin pulling together the various forms that have arrived in the mail over the last few weeks, and vow that this will be the year that you get your taxes done well in advance of April 15th, we want to remind you that you may be able to deduct certain expenses you incur in connection with a child's special education needs.

IRS Publication 502, Medical and Dental Expenses, contains an extensive list of expenses that may be deductible as medical expenses, subject to the limits that apply to all medical deductions. These expenses may include tuition at a private, special education school, attendence at special education conferences, and tutoring fees for students with learning disabilities.

There are conditions and restrictions on all of these deductions. An excellent and extensive discussion on this entire topic from 2009, now on the Great Schools website, is still a useful overview of this subject. Only a tax professional can give you specific guidance on this issue, but you may want to read the IRS publication or look at our 2011 Tax Tips post to help you ask the right questions.