Client unable to manage financial affairs

[Nettie]

My client lives in a Rehab Center and unable to manage financial affairs - has a court appointed guardian.  He receives a sizable pension from NYC plus Social Security.  It appears he will be paying all of his income towards his medical care and housing.  Is it necessary to file a tax return?

[Just-Lisa-Now-]

If the pension and SS are enough income to create a filing requirement, yes.

[Accountant-Man]

How would the government know that he pays so much for medical care? All they see are his pension 1099-R and SSA 1099.

[BobKamman]

Patients are in a rehab center to be rehabilitated and then discharged.  If they are permanently disabled, they go somewhere else.  If they need help managing their financial affairs, that's not necessarily a medical expense.  Way too little information here to figure out what's going on.  But in any case, a return must be filed (unless, of course, that NYS pension is a form of workers compensation).