Unreimbursed medical expenses actually paid by veterans or family members are deducted from actual income to determine eligibility.

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Today roughly 90 percent of medical expenses are paid in the first instance by someone else, government or insurer, fueling health care costs.

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They are able to file a joint return or even if filing separately deduct medical expenses that are paid for a spouse.

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It also shows how much a person has paid in medical expenses for the year, what bills a person has due and what bills a health insurance plan should be paying for.

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That bit can be confusing because, for federal gift tax purposes, expenses paid on behalf of another person but made directly to a medical institution are excluded from calculations when figuring taxable gifts.

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That includes a significant award for basic child support, along with additional expenses paid directly to a vendor, such as private school tuition, medical costs, and child care.

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