I thought I'd post this as an FYI. My husband has very poor vision and always worn glasses or contacts since he was a child, until he reached the stage (last year) that he couldn't tolerate them. Constantly taking off the glasses, fiddling with them, ultimately bent them into the shape of a pretzel! I bumped into our optometrist and she said that in 40 years in the business, she had never seen anyone do that. She also said his vision is terrible and she doesn't know how he can see without the glasses.
Recently, I was getting our tax stuff together and wondered if he would qualify as legally blind (you get an extra deduction for that in our state). I Googled it and there are two ways to quailify--USA Standards for Legal Blindness: "20/200 or worse in better eye or visual field restriction to 20 degrees diameter or less (tunnel vision) in better eye. People with neurological disorders usually qualify under this (second) criterion."
I have a call into our eye doctor to see if either is applicable to Steve. Accountant said I'd need a letter from the doctor for backup, if this applies.
Marilyn, can't help here butI am sure others have experience. Rich's eyesight and physical health is better than mine... I am glad to get the disabled dduction.
It has always been a deduction on federal and I think most states probably do too. Below is from the IRS site on the deduction which usually is around $1000 more:
Higher Standard Deduction for Blindness
If you are blind on the last day of the year and you do not itemize deductions, you are entitled to a higher standard deduction.
Not totally blind. If you are not totally blind, you must get a certified statement from an eye doctor (ophthalmologist or optometrist) that: You cannot see better than 20/200 in the better eye with glasses or contact lenses, or
Your field of vision is 20 degrees or less.
If your eye condition is not likely to improve beyond these limits, the statement should include this fact. You must keep the statement in your records. If your vision can be corrected beyond these limits only by contact lenses that you can wear only briefly because of pain, infection, or ulcers, you can take the higher standard deduction for blindness if you otherwise qualify. Spouse 65 or Older or Blind
You can take the higher standard deduction if your spouse is age 65 or older or blind and:
You file a joint return, or
You file a separate return and can claim an exemption for your spouse because your spouse had no gross income and an exemption for your spouse could not be claimed by another taxpayer.
Thanks Charlotte. Spoke w/the eye doctor this a.m. Yes, Steve qualifies as legally blind without correction, but the doctor has never been asked this question before (patient refuses to wear glasses) and didn't know the answer. I decided it's not worth hassling with for small amount of tax savings. However, I'm glad I asked the question because the doctor said Steve can only see clearly at about 12" or less. That's good to know.