Can you buy medical equipment and donate it? I'm thinking crutches, diabetic testing supplies, blood pressure monitor. I'm not sure it's legal or ethical to take a charitable deduction for the donation, but you would feel good about doing it.
I was thinking of this also. Since the money is use it or let your company have it, why not go to a homeless shelter and see what they need. I bet they need all sorts of things that would qualify from band-aids to thermometers.
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Since the money is use it or let your company have it, why not go to a homeless shelter and see what they need. I bet they need all sorts of things that would qualify from band-aids to thermometers.
This is a good idea and I will definitely put it on the list, once I see how much money I have left after buying all the OTC drugs and medical supplies I can possibly think of ($117--I buy only generics, so nothing costs very much!); going to the dentist ($300); and getting an eye exam and possibly getting some prescription sunglasses as a result ($?). I see no problem with taking a charitable donation credit on my tax return here. It's my money, and money is fungible.
tjl's vaccine suggestion is a good one although I have already had pretty much everything on that list (I travel to developing countries regularly and keep all of my shots up-to-date). A flu shot would be a good thing to have, although I am not going to be in line for the H1N1 vaccine, considering I am in a very low-risk group.
I will certainly post the results--the eye doctor visit is scheduled for the 16th. I still maintain that my eyesight is damn good, though, especially seeing far away. I'm spotting those raccoons, baby!
I see no problem with taking a charitable donation credit on my tax return here. It's my money, and money is fungible.
It's your money, but you didn't pay income or payroll taxes on it, and to then take a deduction from your taxes for money you didn't ever pay taxes on is suspect.
Last year when I had realized I would have an overage in my FSA (around this same time last year) of about $200. I started calling family and friends and asking them for any receipts from Walgreens, CVS, etc that included any OTC meds and turned them in for reimbursement.
Maybe it was bad karma for doing that, but I reduced my FSA and this past year I had a root canal, crown and two fillings. My dental plan only covers up to $1250 per year so I ended up paying $1500 OOP just in dental.
It's your money, but you didn't pay income or payroll taxes on it, and to then take a deduction from your taxes for money you didn't ever pay taxes on is suspect.
That's what I mean by money being fungible. The dollar I put into my FSA is not necessarily the same dollar that I gave to charity--it doesn't have a label on it, just goes into the big pot of my income.
It's your money, but you didn't pay income or payroll taxes on it, and to then take a deduction from your taxes for money you didn't ever pay taxes on is suspect.
What if the OP waited until after Jan 1 and deducted from his 2010 taxes? I don't know the answer, but I'm curious.
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Although I wear contact lenses, a few years ago, I used over $800 to buy the most expensive pair of glasses I could, with custom made clip-on sunglasses. They came in handy for when I didn't feel like putting the contacts in in the morning. Also good for outside reading in the sun, etc.
Another time, I used the rest toward some dental work. I wonder if teeth bleaching is covered.
No, but if you have any old silver fillings you can have them replaced with new white resin fillings. I did that one year.
Replacing old fillings that are not failing is not a good idea, since each filling replacement involves some drilling which reduces the amount of actual tooth holding itself together. When there is more filling and less tooth, there is a greater risk of a piece of tooth cracking off, resulting in the need for a crown.
Replacing old fillings that are not failing is not a good idea, since each filling replacement involves some drilling which reduces the amount of actual tooth holding itself together. When there is more filling and less tooth, there is a greater risk of a piece of tooth cracking off, resulting in the need for a crown.
I know it is a risk, but I am short (5'3") and was very aware that when I spoke that people could see the fillings in my bottom teeth when I spoke. They were mostly from a fairly young age (under 14ish years old.) Sure it was a risk but they were over 10 years old when replaced and I was very embarressed by them. I have never been upset over the money spent on this.
Buy a few very nice, expensive first aid kits. Several for home, one for your car, one for back-packing/hiking. REI has an "adventure medical kit" for $299. http://www.rei.com/product/650324 Buy 3 and you've spent most of your money.
https://www.wageworks.com/employee/h...penses/fsa.htm
Interesting items:
* Sunscreen (Just realized this. I need to go to Costco and get a receipt.)
* Mileage to/from medical providers. (Does that cover business class flights to/from medical facilities in Thailand? )
Yup, already got that one--that is my one prescription
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wiirachay
* Sunscreen (Just realized this. I need to go to Costco and get a receipt.)
* Mileage to/from medical providers. (Does that cover business class flights to/from medical facilities in Thailand? )
The sunscreen is kind of bizarre--it counts for FSA if it's 30 or higher SPF, but not lower. I do buy #30 but who knew to save the receipts? I learn this stuff too late.
I wish the mileage thing was more meaningful for me, but all of my doctors are within a couple of miles from my house. Plus, I can just imagine the hassle of trying to get reimbursed for this. I do have my account with WageWorks and they are a complete nightmare. Everything I send them has to get faxed in about 3 times before they will approve it. Talk about wasteful administrative costs.
