I:8-38 Medical Expense Deduction. In 2022, Charla, a single taxpayer with no dependents, was severely hurt in a farm accident. Charla is 38 years old. The accident left Charla’s legs 85% paralyzed. After incurring $14,000 of medical expenses at the hospital, the doctor recommended that Charla install a pool at her home for therapy. The pool cost $25,000 to install and increased the value of her home by $22,000. She spent $930 maintaining the pool in 2021 and $1,060 in 2022. Charla also purchased a wheelchair on December 28, 2021, for $2,300, which she charged to her credit card. She paid her credit card bill on January 6, 2022. She also purchased a hospital bed for $3,800 but did not pay for the bed until 2022. Charla paid her physical therapist $4,000 for services performed in 2022.

Charla paid $1,200 in medical insurance premiums on an after-tax basis in both 2021 and 2022. In 2022, the insurance company reimbursed Charla $9,000 for her hospital stay in 2021. Her AGI for 2021 and 2022 is $38,000 and $43,000, respectively, not considering any of the above items. Charla has no other itemized deductions in either year.

a. What is Charla’s taxable income for 2021?

b. What is Charla’s medical expense deduction for 2022? How does she treat the reimbursement?