Providence received a lot of interest in last year’s post, “6 Tax Tips for Caregivers.” So we are posting an expanded list of tax tips this year, as a service to caregivers and families. These tips have been compiled from a variety of authoritative sources, and should be considered helpful suggestions rather than professional tax advice. Consult a qualified tax advisor to help make a determination specific to your individual situation:

1. Get started early.
Few people look forward to doing their taxes — and as a caregiver you may feel too overwhelmed to think about long forms and financial details. But leaving things until the last minute only increases the likelihood of errors. And if a caregiving emergency comes up in April, you don’t want a looming tax deadline to add to your stress.

2. Get organized.
If you are super-organized, you have probably been keeping track of receipts and expenses throughout the year. If not, begin now to gather and organize receipts for the following:

• Medical expenses
• Caregiving expenses (such as hiring in-home help)
• Property taxes
• Charitable contributions
• Last year’s tax preparation expenses
• Expenses related to remodeling you’ve done to accommodate the person you are caring for

You’ll also need the paperwork generated by your income sources:

• W-2s
• W-9s
• 1099s
• K-1
• Year-end brokerage and bank statements

You might find it helpful to use last year’s tax return as a checklist to make sure you have all the necessary paperwork.

3. Get help.
The IRS website is a well-organized resource designed to answer common questions. In addition to easy-to-understand categories of information, the site has a Search function that helps you find exactly what you’re looking for. If you are more comfortable talking to a person than navigating a website, the IRS staffs a tax help-line at (800) 829-1040.

4. Claim dependents.
You can claim people as dependents if (1) you are providing more than half of their support for the year and (2) they are related to you or have lived with you for a full calendar year. While the particulars of your own situation will determine whether claiming a parent as a dependent makes sense, the savings can be significant. The 2011 exemption amount for each dependent is $3,700, if certain criteria are met.

5. Claim medical deductions.
As a caregiver, you know how expensive it can be to make life as comfortable as possible for your loved one. Make sure you claim all the eligible deductions you can! If your medical expenses exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income, those medical expenses are deductible, if you itemize them on Schedule A. Deductible medical expenses can include nursing home care, rehab, and in-home help such as nurses and therapists. The cost of doctor visits, surgeries, lab work, medical supplies — even the costs of helping someone with daily activities like dressing, eating, and using the toilet may be deductible as medical expenses. And if travel is required for medical care, and your family member is not able to travel alone, you may also be able to deduct transportation expenses such as mileage, tolls, parking, and even meals and lodging. Make sure you retain all receipts and documentation. Consult IRS Publication 502, Medical and Dental Expenses for a complete list of which expenses are eligible and which are not.

6. Claim home improvement expenses.
If you have remodeled your home to accommodate the needs of the person you’re caring for (such as adding a wheelchair ramp, widening doorways, installing handrails, modifying fire alarms for hearing-impaired occupants, etc.), those expenses may be deductible. IRS Publication 502 gives more detailed explanations of what types of home improvements may be considered a medical expense.

7. Use Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs).
An FSA allows you to set aside pre-tax dollars and then pay for medical expenses out of that account. Depending on how much you pay for things like eyeglasses, hearing aids, blood sugar test strips, x-rays, and other common medical expense, the tax savings can be worthwhile.

8. Learn about Dependent Care Credits.
If you are paying someone to provide care for a dependent so that you can go to work (or look for work), you might qualify for a dependent care credit. Publication 503, Child and Dependent Care Expenses, is a 23-page downloadable IRS document that explains how to figure the credit and claim the credit.

9. Learn about state-specific benefits.
Currently, almost half of U.S. states offer credits or deductions specifically for caregivers. The requirements change every year, so keep your research current.

10. Consult with a tax professional.
You may be used to doing your taxes yourself, but try hiring a professional every few years, just for comparison. If the professional you hire arrives at the same large refund or small payment you do, you can feel confident that you are taking full advantage of all the deductions and credits you qualify for. A qualified tax professional might also have other tips that can save you money and lighten the burden of caregiving.

The above tips should be considered helpful suggestions rather than professional tax advice. Consult a qualified tax advisor to help make a determination specific to your individual situation.