Standby Generator;Is it a Medical Tax Exemption?

[sreneet]

I'm looking to have a standby generator installed and was wondering if it can be claimed as a medical tax exemption. I'm c5/6 and would definetly end up overheating if I did'nt have air conditioning, I live in Texas and we did'nt have electricity for 3 weeks after Ike. We do have portable generators that we used but it was very difficult dealing with them for that long. I thought I would ask here first and see if any of you know the answer, if not I will do further research. We are going to have a whole house natural gas one installed, it's going to cost about $20,000. We will need at least a 27 kw generator based on house square footage and having a well.

Thanks for any info.

[brucec]

Originally Posted by sreneet

I'm looking to have a standby generator installed and was wondering if it can be claimed as a medical tax exemption. I'm c5/6 and would definetly end up overheating if I did'nt have air conditioning, I live in Texas and we did'nt have electricity for 3 weeks after Ike. We do have portable generators that we used but it was very difficult dealing with them for that long. I thought I would ask here first and see if any of you know the answer, if not I will do further research. We are going to have a whole house natural gas one installed, it's going to cost about $20,000. We will need at least a 27 kw generator based on house square footage and having a well.

Thanks for any info.

should of bought one during ike
when isabel came thru here we were without power about 10 days, my sister bought one and submitted it to fema and they reimbursed her.
not sure on the medical issue, but it makes sense

[woody]

what if ur a high quad and the power goes out?

[brucec]

thats why i said it makes sense.
we need a/c, i bought one back during isabel and should have itemized it on my taxes now to think of it, but of course that was only 600, if you're itemizing 20k, you might wan to talk to a tax dude

[ancientgimp]

You must have a big house, I have a small 7K Briggs and Stratton stand by installed for a little over $3000.00 2 years ago. It cannot handle the a/c but handles the well, fridge, TV, computers, most lights, garage door, microwave - not oven or stovetop. Generator was left over at my plumbing/heating guy's place. The negatives are that it is a little noisy compared to some high end generators. Plus side is that I did not have to change out my natural gas meter which would have been required with a larger generator. Mine came equipped with some valves to adapt to propane for those without natural gas. It is very, very nice to have electricity kick backl in after 10 seconds of power failure.

[IMC67]

Originally Posted by brucec

if you're itemizing 20k, you might wan to talk to a tax dude

I believe that things that can normally be written off, can not be if they raise the value of your home. I'm sure money spent, vs. value added to the home would figure in. Definitely talk to a tax dude.
That sounds like a lot of cash, for a generator. Have you gotten more than one estimate?

[metronycguy]

without even reading anyone's response, just looking at your question,
IMO yes it is a medical tax deduction.
probably a lot more involved since it may also be a house improvment.
but looks like a good time for you to learn all the tax codes and write offs for medical deductions.
hopefully the other responses are in the affirmative

[sreneet]

Thanks for all the replies. I'm definetly going to check with my accountant, just wanted to check here and see if anyone else had experience with this.
Brucec; We already had a 5500kw when Ike hit, that doesn't run much. Ike was definetly an eye opener. I panicked when I saw all the people on the news that had bought portable generators that only worked for a few days. We have a well so without a generator we wouldn't have even been able to shower or flush the toilet.

Ancientgimp; We have a 4800 square foot 1 story with a well. We also have two 4 ton central air/heat units.

IMC67; We have 3 estimates so far, they range from $18,000 to $20,373. We are going to get a few more.

Metronycguy; I hope it is deductable, I guess I'll find out soon. I can use all the medical deductions I can get.

I will let everyone know what the answer is as soon as I find out.

Below is one of the esimates, it was sent via email so it is easy to post.

The load calculation on your home was in the 34,000 watt range. However, as you have selected, I am quoting a smaller unit for your home in which you would have to power manage.

Fish Electric to furnish and install the following for whole home coverage:

-One (1) Guardian 27kw “Quiet Source” Optional Standby Generator
-One (1) 200 amp Automatic Transfer Switch Service Entrance Rated
-Supply conductors (Gas)
-Control wiring (Electrical)
-Plumbing of the gas to the generator
-Two (2) gas regulators
-Coordinating and paying all fees to Center Point Energy for an upgraded meter
-Series 26 battery
-One (1) Concrete Slab
1-20 volt circuit to the battery charger
-Two (2) year warranty
-One (1) year FREE maintenance with the purchase of a two (2) year Maintenance Agreement = 3 years


Owner will be responsible for the following:
All HOA approval if needed
Redirection of any sprinkler heads near generator
Clear Access for generator location
Any sheetrock or landscape repair

Price is good until: 7/30/2009
50% deposit is required upon ordering
45% is due upon installation
5% is due upon start up
Price after 5% discount: $20,373.71 ( 5% discount is $1071.40)
All taxes are included
If paid by credit card add 3% for the processing fee

[metronycguy]

it sounds liek it is medically neceesary, since without the well and water , and ac you are fuc*&.
preobably better off scourinbg the nert for tax boards that have a lot of disabled postings, they may be more accurate than a local tax guy.
and you may have to take off a portion of the cost when you sell your house , but worry about that latter.

more important
this installer wants all the money before the job is completed and inspected ac done per contract?
i would only give a portion, enough for supplies and startup, but no wat pay in full before final inspectopn of work, about aweek or two at least after finished , so you can load it up for awhile to test it

[zillazangel]

Have your doctor write you a prescription for it. That will help with tax documentation purposes - this is what we did for our overhead lift. They can write it on a regular prescription pad or as a letter on letterhead with a signature. It doesn't guarantee it being a write-off, but certainly helps, and best to get it BEFORE you buy the generator.

ETA: agree with metro, do NOT pay 95% before you know if it works. Pay 50% up front, 50% upon COMPLETION only. And Visa specifically disallows its vendors to charge a surcharge for using a credit card. Tell them you will pay the same price by credit or cash, period. If they balk, call up Visa .... they will be swiftly in contact with them to "discuss" the arrangements.