KatinWA

Clydewolf,

Can you explain further why you don't think I could deduct the cost of attending the conference?

Publication 502 says:
Medical Conferences
You can include in medical expenses amounts paid for admission and transportation to a medical conference if the medical conference concerns the chronic illness of yourself, your spouse, or your dependent. The costs of the medical conference must be primarily for and necessary to the medical care of you, your spouse, or your dependent. The majority of the time spent at the conference must be spent attending sessions on medical information.

The cost of meals and lodging while attending the conference is not deductible as a medical expense.

I thought it would mean I could.

My initial question was whether it had to be counted as a medical expense or if it could instead count as a charitable deduction if that gave me the better return.

Do you really think I shouldn't include the conference fees/travel in medical expenses?