Grants?

[debbie-doodles]

Is there a government program or something that will give us grants to help pay for gluten-free food for our kids since it is a medical necessity? Any info would help...this is getting expensive. thanks!

[Lisa]

I know that you can take a tax deduction since it is a medically required diet. Documentation is pretty hard to keep up with. You can deduct the gas it takes if you have to go out of town to find specific foods and you can deduct the difference in the price cost of gluten free foods vs. regular foods in the same category.

It would be a pain in the neck for me to keep up with it all and I would not to send up flags for a possible audit.

To answer you question this is not a grant, but a tax deduction. I don't know whether it is worth the time and effort.

I found this information on this site's home page (just scroll down).

Any other imput? I believe I am correct, if not chime in.

Lisa B.

[tarnalberry]

Given that the foods aren't necessary (as in, there are a lot of inexpensive, naturally gluten-free foods like beans, rice, fruit, vegetables, milk, cheese, meat, eggs, etc.), there is some debate as to whether or not the IRS is going to play nice with taking the medical deduction for the higher price of gluten-free specialty foods. (Some accountants won't let you do it, and I haven't heard from anyone who's done it, been audited, and it was fine.) But to take the deduction, you have to have spent more than 7% of your AGI on medical stuff, so that disqualifies some people.