Flexible Spending Account (FSA) reimbursement for deaf technology?

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rushabh

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Has anyone successfully used their FSA accounts to purchase technologies for the deaf, without having to worry about the tax man breaking down the door (since you wouldn't be able to hear the knocking :deaf: )

Would a Blackberry handheld qualify as a "technology for the deaf"? The IRS rules are pretty vague on this one. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks.
 
rushabh said:
Has anyone successfully used their FSA accounts to purchase technologies for the deaf, without having to worry about the tax man breaking down the door (since you wouldn't be able to hear the knocking :deaf: )

Would a Blackberry handheld qualify as a "technology for the deaf"? The IRS rules are pretty vague on this one. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks.
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Hahahahaha - that is a good one about IRS folks breaking down the door since we cant hear.

What is FSA account?
 
rushabh said:
Has anyone successfully used their FSA accounts to purchase technologies for the deaf, without having to worry about the tax man breaking down the door (since you wouldn't be able to hear the knocking :deaf: )

Would a Blackberry handheld qualify as a "technology for the deaf"? The IRS rules are pretty vague on this one. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks.
Click to expand...
The FSA is for out of pocket expenses on child care or medical expenses that are not covered by insurance. Examples, deductible on prescription and doctor office visits. Child care expenses, etc.

So the money is taken out of your paycheck BEFORE its taxed and kept in a special account by your employer, thus reducing the amount of taxes. Then you claim these expenses and get your money back, all tax free. The pain part is that you have to put down the amount set aside each calendar year, up to $5000 for child care and any amount for medical expenses.

Be doing this for 15 years.

Blackberry or any other pagers and videophones dont fall under the FSA definitions.
 
rushabh said:
What is your source?
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You provided the web link and the first paragraph is as follows

Flexible spending accounts offer employees a great way to reduce their taxable income while at the same time paying for medical or child-care expenses they know they'll encounter during the year.

And ask your employer for more information on FSA.

Googled and found http://www.shps.net/myshps/fsa.stm and http://www.shps.net/myshps/documents/fsa_detailed_expense.pdf

just as I suspected.
 
FSA's are great for a number of things including disability accessibility expenses.

Richard
 
Communication devices, and VP don't fall in this category. They are considered luxury in government's eyes. They simply are not medically certified.


rushabh said:
What is your source?
Click to expand...
 
From qwerty's links, here is the relevant information on "Telephone"

TELEPHONE: The cost and repair of special telephone equipment that allows a deaf communicate over a regular telephone is an eligible medical.

So it sounds like a TDD/TTY is covered as long as it is used to communicate over REGULAR telephone line. No mention of wireless so I guess it is not covered.

That is really too bad as a Blackberry or a Sidekick should be the standard device for all deaf/hard of hearing people.
 
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