If you’re having pool dreams, let your mind wander to Dubai. The Persian Gulf is known for its luxurious and extravagant lifestyle, and a new mega mansion in the Emirate Hills in Dubai is no exception. The AED 349 million (US$95 million) mansion boasts a double-decker swimming pool and a host of other amenities spread over 40,000 square feet.

According to Leigh Borg, an executive partner at Luxhabitat Sotheby’s International Realty, the villa is a one-of-a-kind masterpiece that has been thoughtfully conceptualized and developed for the perfect family home. The contemporary villa, designed by XBD Interiors, offers floor-to-ceiling windows, several large reception rooms, and a kitchen kitted out with top-of-the-line furniture and appliances.

The villa’s standout feature is undoubtedly the pool, which is cantilevered over another pool beneath it. A nearly 38-foot suspended glass bridge connects a balcony to the pavilion and swimming pool on the main floor. The outdoor area also boasts a pool pavilion, outdoor showers, an al fresco kitchen and dining area, and a stepped garden.

The villa has 10-bedroom suites, steam and sauna baths, a recreation room with a pool table, a cinema, a library, and a kid’s playroom. There is even a soundproofed music room on the first floor and a spectacular gym on the upper level offering beautiful views of the green.

That’s not the only pool in Dubai making headlines this week. A $50 million duplex at Volante Dubai located in the Business Bay neighborhood is a prime example of luxurious living in the city. The 35-story tower was designed by FNP Architects and is situated along the city’s Water Canal, offering breathtaking views of the iconic Burj Khalifa.

This villa in the sky spans over 19,000 square feet and includes four bedrooms, each with its own lavish living area, and an array of opulent amenities. As you step off the private elevator onto the lower floor of the penthouse, you’re greeted by an open-plan living area with 26-foot bifold glass doors that lead onto the terrace, providing a seamless indoor-outdoor living experience.

The penthouse’s two building-length terraces span across two floors and feature a Mediterranean-inspired courtyard complete with a rooftop swimming pool. The space gives the impression of a private park rather than the roof of a building. The outdoor amenities are nothing short of extraordinary and include an infinity pool that overlooks Dubai’s skyline, a firepit surrounded by ample seating, an outdoor bar and dining area, and loungers, all set amidst a private garden with lush trees. However, the most mesmerizing feature of the penthouse is the panoramic view that stretches from Dubai’s iconic landmarks to the crystal-clear waters of the Persian Gulf.

If both of these pools are giving you wanderlust, we don’t blame you. Dubai is certainly known for its over-the-top opulence and these two properties are certainly a prime example of that.

Featured Photo Credit: Luxhabitat Sotheby’s International Realty

A mass chlorine poisoning incident occurred in a swimming pool in Italy’s Bosco Chiesanuova municipality, located in Verona. Officially reported that 25 individuals were injured, including children as young as three years old. Those affected were hospitalized after the incident.

The Monti Lessini Sports Centre witnessed a significant emergency response due to the incident, with cops, firefighters, and paramedics arriving at the scene. Nuclear experts, belonging to a specialized firefighting unit known as the NBCR (Nuclear, Biological, Chemical and Radiological) operatives, were also present.

The experts were summoned to help evacuate the pool, which had been contaminated with chlorine gas that was released around 10 am. The NBCR operatives are a “specialized group of firefighters that is called to intervene in exceptional situations,” as described by Italy’s Ministry of the Interior. Those who were seriously affected by the gas were transported to hospitals in Negrar, Borgo Trento, and Borgo Roma, while others were taken to medical centers in minibusses.

Out of the 25 individuals who were poisoned, nine were nursery school children aged between 3 and 6, who were at the pool for a swimming lesson. Four swimmers were severely affected by the toxic gas, and the manager of the pool was also hospitalized. Investigations suggest that the poisoning occurred due to a miscalculation of the amount of chlorine needed to sterilize the pool. Local media reports state that a massive overdose of chlorine led to a cloud of toxic gas rising from the water and poisoning swimmers.

The incident is reminiscent of a situation that occurred at Six Flags Hurricane Harbor in 2021. Incorrect installation of a water filtration system resulted in 65 people being rushed to the hospital after the release of pool-sanitizing chemicals.

Chlorine gas can be fatal if breathed in and was used by the Germans as a weapon in World War I. Victims can experience shortness of breath, blurred vision, burning pain in the nose, eyes, and throat, as well as blisters on the skin.

This is not the only poisoning incident this year, as hundreds of girls fell ill in Iran’s schools due to a “deliberate poisoning” with chemical compounds. Chlorine gas was also used in these attacks, with victims suffering from similar symptoms as those in Italy.

If you or a loved one has a medical condition that requires a swimming pool for therapy, you may be able to claim the cost of constructing a pool as a medical tax deduction. Many Americans are unaware of this tax break, which can also apply to other medical expenses such as assistant medical equipment.

Using a Swimming Pool as a Tax Deduction

Aaron Rogers owner of Southern Poolscapes recently informed a customer that they could claim part of their pool construction as a medical expense deduction on his taxes. “He built the pool to use for therapy after a recent spinal fusion,” said Rogers, “as we tallied the bill up he mentioned, ‘boy, I wish I could claim this on my taxes’, and that’s when I mentioned it to him.”

Rogers claims it isn’t the first time he’s seen someone do this but because his customer had all the right paperwork, a good portion of her swimming pool was tax deductible. “All in, I believe his net deduction came close to $50,000,” said Rogers, “in some instances, if it is doctor-recommended, the IRS allows it.”

Medical Deduction for Swimming Pools & Spas

For example, therapy pools, spas, and other similar facilities that are recommended by a doctor can be eligible for the medical tax deduction. Additionally, if you need assistant medical equipment such as a chair lift, safety rails, or other modifications to the pool, these costs can also be claimed as part of the deduction.

Installing a swimming pool or hot tub at home can be recommended by a doctor for various medical conditions, such as osteoporosis, multiple sclerosis, arthritis, and chronic pain. Pools are also commonly used for physical therapy, particularly in cases where a person is unable to bear their full weight on a leg or other part of their body.

How You Claim Your Pool as a Tax Write-Off

Moreover, if you build a pool for medical reasons, it can make sense to claim the tax deduction. Building a pool can be a significant expense, but if it’s recommended by a physician, the deduction can help offset some of the costs. Plus, having a pool can provide a therapeutic benefit to the individual with the medical condition, improving their quality of life.

However, it’s important to note that there are some limitations to the medical expense deduction. Firstly, you need to itemize deductions on Schedule A, rather than taking the standard deduction. Additionally, eligible expenses must be above 7.5% of adjusted gross income (AGI) to qualify for the deduction. For example, if a couple has an AGI of $200,000, they can only deduct eligible medical expenses above $15,000.

Who is Eligible?

Based on the latest IRS data, in 2020, approximately 4 million tax filers claimed medical expenses as a deduction on their Schedule A. This is in contrast to the approximately 12 million filers who claimed mortgage interest and the approximately 13 million filers who claimed charitable donations. Despite this, the average medical expense deduction was approximately $20,000, indicating that this deduction was particularly valuable for those who qualified and likely came at a time when any tax relief was greatly appreciated.

Even if a taxpayer’s medical expenses don’t exceed the deduction threshold, it’s still important to understand what expenses qualify for the deduction. This is because the same expenses that are eligible for the deduction can also be reimbursed through a Flexible Spending Account or Health Savings Account, without the requirement of meeting the 7.5% AGI threshold.

Claiming a Medical Expense Deduction for your Pool

To claim the medical expense deduction, you will need to keep good records and documentation of all expenses related to the construction of the pool or other medical expenses. The IRS provides a comprehensive list of eligible medical and dental expenses in Publication 502, which includes costs related to the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease. Examples include bandages, guide dogs, nursing home and assisted living care, and special-education tuition.

In at least one case, the IRS did not allow a taxpayer to deduct installation costs for his pool because the taxpayer did not have sufficient medical documentation to support his claim. The taxpayer only provided a statement from his doctor advising him to lose weight, but this alone was not enough to qualify for the medical expense deduction. It’s important to have proper documentation and meet all the requirements set by the IRS to avoid being denied the deduction.

The IRS has an extensive list of tax deductible home improvement expenses that are eligible for a medical deduction. While constructing a swimming pool would be considered a capital expense, it could still be considered for a medical deduction.

When claiming a medical deduction for expenses that add permanent value to a home, such as a swimming pool, the taxpayer is required to obtain an appraisal of the increase in the home’s value as a result of the modification. The amount of the deduction must then be reduced by the appraised value increase. This is to prevent taxpayers from claiming a deduction for expenses that are not directly related to their medical condition.