Angie, a few more things worth looking into.....
-<a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.irs.gov/publications/p907/ar02.html#d0e455">http://www.irs.gov/publications/p907/ar02.html#d0e455</a>
"Earned Income Credit
This credit is based on the amount of your earned income. But you can get the credit only if your earned income for 2004 was less than:
$11,490 ($12,490 for married filing jointly) and you did not have a qualifying child,
$30,338 ($31,338 for married filing jointly) and you had one qualifying child, or
$34,458 ($35,458 for married filing jointly) and you had more than one qualifying child."
THOUGHT THIS MIGHT BE HELPFUL TO KEEP IN MIND, HOPEFULLY YOU ARE ABOVE THIS THREASHOLD BUT IF NOT, KEEP IT IN MIND.
-"Child and Dependent Care Credit
Generally, if you pay someone to care for either your dependent under age 13 or your spouse or dependent who is not able to care for himself or herself, you may be able to get a credit of up to 35% of your expenses. To qualify, you must pay these expenses so you can work or look for work.
You can claim the credit on Form 1040 or 1040A. You figure the credit on Form 2441 (Form 1040) or Schedule 2 (Form 1040A).
For more information, see the instructions for Form 1040, line 47 or Form 1040A, line 29. Publication 503, Child and Dependent Care Expenses, contains more detailed information."
JUST GOOD INFORMATION TO KNOW, IT MIGHT COME IN HANDY.
-"Dependent Care Benefits
You can exclude from income benefits provided under your employer's qualified dependent care assistance plan. You may be able to exclude up to $5,000. The care must be provided for your dependent under the age of 13 or your spouse or dependent who is not able to care for himself or herself.
For information about excluding benefits on Form 1040, see Form 2441, Child and Dependent Care Expenses, and its instructions. For information about excluding benefits on Form 1040A, see Schedule 2 (Form 1040A), Child and Dependent Care Expenses for Form 1040A Filers. IF YOUR EMPLOYER DOESN'T HAVE A PLAN LIKE THIS, WHERE YOU CAN PUT MONEY AWAY EVERY MONTH THAT MIGHT ALLEVIATE WHAT THE MEDICAID PEOPLE COUNT AS "INCOME", I WOULD SERIOUSLY ASK THEM TO COSIDER IT.
-"Itemized Deductions
If you file Form 1040, you generally can either claim the standard deduction or itemize your deductions. You must use Schedule A (Form 1040) to itemize your deductions. See your form instructions for information on the standard deduction and the deductions you can itemize. The following discussions highlight some itemized deductions that are of particular interest to persons with disabilities.
Medical Expenses
You can deduct medical and dental expenses for you, your spouse, and your dependents.
Medical expenses include payments you make for the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease and for treatment affecting any part or function of the body. They also include the cost of transportation for needed medical care and payments for medical insurance.
You can deduct only the part of your medical and dental expenses that is more than 7.5% of your adjusted gross income shown on Form 1040, line 37.
The following list highlights some of the medical expenses you may have for special items and equipment related to a disability. For more detailed information, see Publication 502, Medical and Dental Expenses.
Artificial limbs, eyeglasses, and hearing aids.
The part of the cost of Braille books and magazines that is more than the price of regular printed editions.
Cost and repair of special telephone equipment for hearing-impaired persons.
Cost of equipment that displays the audio part of television programs as subtitles for hearing-impaired persons.
Cost and maintenance of a wheelchair or autoette.
Cost and care of a guide dog or other animal aiding a person with a physical disability.
A therapist or other person who gives ?patterning? exercises to a mentally retarded child.
A special school, if the main reason for using the school is its resources for relieving a mental or physical disability. This includes the cost of teaching and the cost of remedial language training to correct a condition caused by a birth defect.
Premiums for qualified long-term care insurance, up to certain amounts.
Improvements to a home that do not increase its value if the main purpose is medical care. An example is constructing entrance or exit ramps."
THIS ALSO INCLUDES ADDITIONAL EXPENSES FOR EXCESS FOOD COSTS, i CAN SEND YOU INFORMATION ON THAT IF YOU ARE INTERESTED. I KNOW THIS HAS OGHINT TO DO ITH YOUR INITIAL QUESTION, BUT SOMETIMES IT HELPS TO LOOK OUTSIDE OF THE PEOBLEM, ANY HELP IS ALWAYS GOOD.
GOOD LUCK
