Paul and Patty Black (both are age 66) are married and together have AGI of $105,000 in 2017. They have two dependents and file a joint return. During the year, they paid $8,000 for medical insurance, $15,000 in doctors bills and hospital expenses, and $1,000 for prescribed medicine and drugs.

a) In December 2017, the Blacks received an insurance reimbursement of $3,500 for hospitalization expenses. Determine the deduction allowable for medical expenses paid during the year.

b) Assume instead that the Blacks received the $3,500 insurance reimbursement in February 2018. Determine the deduction allowable for medical expenses incurred in 2017.