The Internal Revenue Service has opened the door for some parents to write off their child’s private-school tuition as a medical expense. In a recent ruling, it said that one family’s dyslexic children required special education that could be deemed medical care. Though the ruling applied only to one specific family, Bob Scharin, editor of RIA’s Practical Tax Strategies, advised parents who think they might qualify to take these steps.

1. Make sure the school offers special education aimed at helping the student overcome a diagnosed handicap. The school should have staff available to design a curriculum aimed at your child’s particular handicap, and that should be why the child attends the school.

2. Get the school to write a statement about its program.

3. Remember that, as a legitimate medical expense, it’s still not deductible until it exceeds 7.5 percent of adjusted gross income. Given the cost of most private schools today, that shouldn’t be a problem.