2015 Tax Return - Medical Expenses Offset

ashanrath on 27/07/2015 - 22:56
Last edited 27/07/2015 - 22:56

Hi all,

I think I'm out of luck with this one, but couldn't find anything online or on the ATO website about this situation to confirm.

My wife has previously claimed the medical expenses offset in both the 12/13 and 13/14 financial years. She was bringing in a lower income however she had far higher medical expenses herself (due to OB/GYN fees). For 14/15, she's been a stay at home mum with $0 income this year. Between her and the two kids, we racked up a bit over 6K in out of pocket medical expenses. From what I can understand there is no provision to carry over the eligibility to my tax return now that she is my financial dependant. Can anyone confirm this?

Seems like we should have been claiming it under my tax return previously, but we didn't know that she would be staying home after the kids at the time.

Any advice or links to relevant articles would be appreciated.

Thanks.

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Comments

  • airzone on 28/07/2015 - 00:03

    You used to be able to claim your spouses medical expenses as long as they didn't also claim them (in addition to kids, invalid relatives, and such). But the rules changed somewhat in 14/15 in that you can only claim them if you had claimed them in the prior financial year.

    So, if your wife claimed for the family in 13/14, then only she can claim in 14/15. Bad luck.

    The specific rule:
    https://www.ato.gov.au/Individuals/Tax-Return/2015/Supplemen…

    edit: make that the prior 2 financial years… The govt is so stingy. :(

  • eatwell365 on 28/07/2015 - 06:10

    ATO 132865. Ask to speak to a specialist in that section.

  • jaypee06 on 28/07/2015 - 16:30

    If you're still within the amendment period (2 years I think?) you could amend prior year returns to remove the offset from hers and add to yours.

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