Breast Pumps and the “IRS”…

“First, the IRS announced yesterday that breast pumps and other breastfeeding supplies are now tax deductible. That reverses the previous policy, which held that there was not sufficient medical benefit from breastfeeding to warrant deduction as a medical expense….

In a letter written on Jan. 31 but released Thursday afternoon, the agency’s commissioner David H. Shulman noted that because pumps are used “for the purpose of affecting a structure or function of the body of the lactating woman,” they are properly classified as a medical device. Previously the IRS held the position that, as my colleague David Kocieniewski put it in today’s Business section, “viewed breast milk as nothing more than a healthy food — meaning that breast pumps, bottles and pads were no more deserving of a tax break than a vegetable steamer.”

The revised definition, he writes, which is effective for the 2010 tax year:

will allow mothers to use pretax money from their flexible spending accounts to cover the cost of breast pumps and other supplies. Those without flexible spending accounts may deduct breast-feeding costs if their total unreimbursed medical expenses exceed 7.5 percent of their adjusted gross income and they itemize.”

via The IRS, Breast Pumps and other Updates – NYTimes.com.

Read Full Post »

Child Car Seat RECALL…

CAR SEAT RECALL

 

Cosco, Maxi-Cosi, and Safety 1st Child Restraint System Center Front Adjuster Recall

Dorel Juvenile Group (DJG), in cooperation with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain Cosco, Maxi-Cosi, and Safety 1st child restraint systems.

via Dorel Juvenile Group | Cosco, Maxi-Cosi, and Safety 1st Child Restraint System Center Front Adjuster Recall.

Dorel Juvenile Group is voluntarily recalling nearly 800,000 child car seats sold in North America to address a potential problem with the harness locking system, which may not stay properly tensioned.

The seats from the Columbus, Ind., company were manufactured between May 1, 2008, and April 30, 2009.

via CBC News – Consumer Life – Dorel recalls 800,000 child car seats.

This has definitely been a week of recalls.

I have included two links on the car seat recalls.

Be particularly cautious if you have a hand me down, borrowed car seat or if you are  traveling and have a rented one.

Protect your child!

Read Full Post »