Mr. and Mrs. Worried, longtime clients, have come to you for help. Their 13-year-old son has recently been expelled from the public junior high school because of severe behavioral problems, culminating in a physical attack on a teacher and threats of future violence. The son has been seeing a psychologist once a week but with no apparent positive results. The Worrieds would like to send their son to a private school that can provide the type of psychological help they believe he needs. The son's psychologist agrees that placement in a special school is imperative if there is ever to be a chance that the son will be a functioning member of society.
The Worrieds tell you that they are concerned because, although they have identified several potential schools, they do not have the financial resources necessary to pay the tuition and other additional costs. Their insurance does not cover any of the costs. However, the Worrieds believe that they may be able to afford the expenses if they can take them as a tax deduction. They ask you for your opinion.
a. Do the Treasury regulations provide further guidance in this situation?
b. Do the Treasury regulations help to refine or add to the initial research question?
c. Do the regulations adequately address the research question? If so, what are your conclusions, and on what are they based?