Tax Season in Asheville, NC? Senior Care Costs That May Help Lower Your Bill

January has a way of turning every kitchen table into “receipt central.” And if you helped pay for an aging parent’s care this past year, it’s normal to wonder: Can any of this lower our tax bill?

What you will learn:

• The key IRS rules that affect whether senior care expenses in Asheville may be deductible, including itemizing and the 7.5% AGI threshold.
  
• Which senior care costs may count as medical expenses—like certain in-home care services, long-term care support, safety modifications, transportation, and other commonly missed categories.
  
• How paying for a parent and dependent status can influence what you may be able to claim, and why it’s worth reviewing with a tax pro.
  
• The simple tracking and documentation habits that make tax season smoother—so you’re not scrambling for receipts in April.
  

In many cases, some senior care expenses may count as deductible medical expenses—but the details matter. Below is a simple, Asheville-friendly guide to what typically qualifies, what usually doesn’t, and what to start tracking now so you’re not scrambling later. (And yes—looping in a tax professional is still the smartest move for your specific situation.)

The IRS rule that trips families up most

Here’s the big one: medical expenses are only deductible if you itemize, and even then, you generally only deduct the portion that’s over 7.5% of your adjusted gross income (AGI).

Also important: you can generally include medical expenses you paid for yourself, your spouse, and your dependents (with some exceptions and special rules).

Senior care costs that may qualify as medical expenses

1) In-home care and caregiver help (the “what type of help?” question)

Not all home care is treated the same.

• Nursing-type services (even if not performed by a nurse) can count when they’re the kind of tasks a nurse typically does—like medication help, changing dressings, and even bathing/grooming tied to the person’s condition.
  
• If an attendant does both medical/nursing tasks and household tasks, the cost may need to be split based on time spent.
  
• Regular household help (cleaning, cooking, laundry) usually isn’t deductible on its own—even if a doctor recommends it.
  

2) Long-term care services (including dementia-related supervision)

Certain long-term care services can count when they’re required by a chronically ill individual and provided under a plan of care from a licensed health care practitioner.

The IRS guidance also explains that “chronically ill” generally means a licensed practitioner certifies that the person either:

• needs substantial help with at least two activities of daily living for at least 90 days, or
  
• needs substantial supervision due to severe cognitive impairment.
  

3) Safety upgrades at home (grab bars, ramps, accessibility changes)

Some home modifications may count if their main purpose is medical care. Sometimes you can deduct all or part of the cost (depending on whether the improvement increases home value).

Examples that may qualify include things like adding handrails or grab bars, modifying stairways, or adapting entrances for safer access.

4) Transportation tied to medical care

Medical mileage, parking, tolls, and other travel costs for medical care often come up for families, especially with frequent appointments. Publication 502 includes transportation as part of medical expenses.

5) Other common categories families forget to track

Depending on your situation, this can include items like certain medical equipment, prescription-related costs, and parts of facility care when the primary reason is medical care. Publication 502 goes deep on what’s includible.

Paying for a parent in Asheville: the dependency piece

Many adult children help pay for care, but the tax side often depends on whether the parent qualifies as a dependent (and there are specific IRS tests for that). The IRS outlines qualifying relative rules like relationship, income limits, and support (often “more than half”).

Bottom line: if you’re paying for a parent’s care, it’s worth asking your tax pro how the dependency rules and medical deduction rules work together for your household.

A simple January checklist (so you’re not hunting receipts in April)

• Save invoices and receipts for care and medical-related purchases
  
• Keep a basic care log (dates of visits, type of help provided)
  
• Track medical-related travel (dates, purpose, parking/tolls)
  
• Hold onto doctor notes/care plans when care is medically necessary
  
• Separate “medical/nursing-type” help from “household help,” if both happened
  

How we can help at Always Best Care of Asheville, NC

If your family used in-home care this year (or you’re starting now), we can help you stay organized with clear service records and a consistent care plan—so you have cleaner documentation when tax time rolls around. And of course, we’re here for what matters most day-to-day: helping your loved one stay safe, supported, and comfortable at home.

FAQ

Q: Do I have to itemize to claim senior care medical deductions?
A: Usually, yes. Medical expenses are generally deducted on Schedule A if you itemize, and only the amount over 7.5% of AGI counts.

Q: Can in-home caregiver costs be deductible?
A: They can be when they’re nursing-type services or qualified long-term care services. Pure household help typically doesn’t qualify on its own.

Q: Do home safety upgrades count (like grab bars)?
A: Some modifications may qualify when the main purpose is medical care, and grab bars/handrails are specifically listed as examples.

Q: Can I include the medical expenses I paid for my parent?
A: Often, yes—especially if they qualify as your dependent (with some exceptions). Dependency rules include support and other tests.

Need Help Making Senior Care Costs Count This Tax Season?

If you’re supporting senior care in Asheville, you’re already carrying a lot—your tax paperwork shouldn’t add extra stress. Start by tracking what you’re paying for, keep clean records, and ask a tax professional how the IRS rules apply to your family’s exact situation. And if you need help at home this year, we at Always Best Care of Asheville, NC are ready to support you with care that’s steady, compassionate, and built around your loved one’s daily needs. Contact Always Best Care of Asheville at (828) 676-2939 to learn more and schedule your free consultation.