And you think you're the one who has tax problems …
June 30, 2010
Whether it's Hollywood stars with hefty debts or transgenders claiming for penis removal, the taxman has seen it all, writes Julian Lewis.
Sometimes all you can do is laugh. And when considering the parlous state of the world's economy, that is probably the only wise course as you gird your loins once more to fill out your annual tax return.
But at least this year if you had your loins surgically altered in a sex change operation you might be able to claim it on tax. A US court ruled the procedure to be tax-deductible after a Boston civil engineer and father of three who became a woman called Rhiannon sued the Internal Revenue Service for hormone therapy and surgery needed to treat a gender identity disorder.
She argued her $US25,000 out-of-pocket expenses should not be considered any different to heart surgery, and the court agreed, overturning existing tax rules to declare a sex change was not cosmetic and her condition should be treated as a disease, and thus tax-deductible.
Let's hope, though, she doesn't regret the change while waiting to spend a penny in the ladies while touring New Mexico, given the news that 14 of its 32 highway toilet facilities were being closed as part of savings to taxpayers, along with having to pay higher sales tax for grooming and hygiene products should she visit Illinois.
Full article here:
http://www.smh.com.au/business/a ... -20100629-zj7p.html
