Tax Deductions and Credits What are Tax Deductible Medical Expenses? Read the Article Open Share Drawer Share this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window) Written by Philip Taylor Published Mar 4, 2013 - [Updated Jan 31, 2017] 3 min read When you begin your tax paperwork organization ritual, no doubt one of the top priorities on your list will be your tax deductions. And, as we all know, if you’ve paid any medical bills, been to the dentist, spent any time in the hospital, or had any sort of doctor-patient interactions, there is potentially a treasure trove of tax deductions just waiting to be discovered. But what can you deduct? What amount of your medical expenses are tax deductible? Do you have to show proof of the expenses that you’re claiming as deductions? Whose medical bills are able to be deducted? These are some very common questions about medical expenses, so let’s just dive right in. You Can Deduct Medical Expenses More than a few people are surprised to learn that a portion of the cost of their medical and dental expenses can be subtracted, or deducted, from their adjusted gross income. However, on your 2012 taxes, only medical and dental expenses that meet the government’s minimum required amount, which is anything above 7 ½ percent of your adjusted gross income (AGI), are eligible. In other words, if your medical expenses aren’t equal to or greater than 7 and a half percent of your income, you can’t claim them as tax deductions. Of course, these expenses can only be deducted from your income if you itemize your tax deductions instead of taking the standard deduction. Whose Expenses Can Be Deducted? Whether you’re a first-timer in the medical deductions arena or a seasoned veteran, it’s important to know exactly whose medical expenses can be deducted from your income. Although almost everyone’s life (and therefore tax) situation is unique, you can somewhat generalize the rules about medical and dental deductions. Here’s the low-down: you can deduct your medical and dental expenses, those of your spouse, or the expenses of your dependent’s – if you choose to itemize. If you’re not sure about itemizing your deductions, TurboTax will figure out which choice benefits you best – itemize or take the standard deduction. Exactly Which Medical and Dental Expenses Can I Deduct? The government has an enormous list of qualifying medical and dental expenses that they have ruled as eligible for deduction on your income taxes. For a full list of every piece of information dealing with deductible medical expenses, see IRS Publication 502. For time’s sake, here are a few of the most common expenses (and some commonly overlooked expenses) that are deductible. Diagnosis and Cures Annual Physical Exams Medicine, Treatment and Prevention Dental Treatments Medical Equipment, Supplies and Diagnosis Devices Ambulance and Other Medical Professional Transportation Travel expenses to and from treatment Insurance payments Chiropractor Psychologist Physical Therapy Medical Expenses that Aren’t Deductible The IRS updates the list of medical expense deductions quite frequently, from a tax perspective, so it’s important to know not only what is considered deductible, but what isn’t. A few expenses that may be medical-related but aren’t as of yet deductible, according to Uncle Sam, are: Elective cosmetic surgery Medicine that isn’t FDA approved Expenses related to a funeral Medicare tax payments (for the self-employment tax) Previous Post 8 Most Missed Tax Deductions Next Post 5 Tax Tips for Students Written by Philip Taylor More from Philip Taylor 96 responses to “What are Tax Deductible Medical Expenses?” « Older Comments I HAVE SPENT $81000.00TO AN ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY. HOW MUCH CAN THIS BE DEDUCTED? Reply I have a compartment problem in the lower leg and to stay active I was told to get a stationary bike. That would help with the circulation and strength. Can I deduct this? Reply I had to buid a special adaptive living quarters for my invalid parents who need constant in home care. Is the cost for the medically necessary addition tax deductible? Reply My wife and I file a joint return. Are our annual premiums for long-term care insurance deductible as medical expenses? Also, we claim my wife’s mother as a dependent on our joint return, as we pay the majority of her expenses. If we also pay some of her medical costs, can we deduct those costs as medical expenses? Reply I pay for part of my health care. My employer pays the rest. Can I deduct the portion that I pay? Reply Hello, my question is: my son got dental Braces on in 2014 I didn’t realize that you can claim this as a medical expense, so I never did.What if at all can I do about it? it costed me over $4000.00 I was making monthly payments..thanks to all for any help/ Reply Hi i was in an car accident and was injured. Filled a lawsuit and had $40,000 worth of medical bills that I had paid after winning my lawsuit can I file taxes on that Reply I don’t know which forms or booklets to use to deduct my medical expenses for 2014 Reply If I incurred medical expenses in 2014 are paying them off still in 2015 can the whole amount be deducted on my 2014 taxes? Reply I elected to have gastric bypass surgery. My insurance wouldn’t cover it because my BMI wasn’t quite high enough. Is this surgery tax deductible even though it was elective? I paid cash. Reply Can we claim stem cell therapy injections and treatments rendered at the Panama Stem Cell Center in Panama, Central America. The treatment is for secondary progressive multiple Schlorsis. Reply I forgot to deduct some medical expenses in 2013. Can I deduct them in 2014 ? Reply Hi Marian, You would have to amend your 2013 taxes and claim your 2013 medical expenses there. Thank you, Lisa Greene-Lewis Reply My 74 yr. old wife has had knee replacement, she also has a heart condition. She has problem climbing stairs, all of our bedrooms are on the 2nd flr. of our home. Her heart doctor gave her a prescription for a stair-lift, which we had installed. Can any part of this be deducted as a medical expense ? Reply If my mom was in assisted living after having a fall and breaking her hip and wrist and paid rent at that facility (not a skilled nursing facility) but also paid rent on her own home is that deductible? She did receive a CRP from that facility. Also had to have grab bars installed in her own home in her bathroom, is that deductible? Also uses a wheelchair and a walker, is that deductible? Reply My huband is a commercial fishermen and files a 1099. when we got what he owes back this year it didn’t seem right. It seems like a lot more than he should owe do to having 20, 000 in medical write offs for the year. He made 82, 000 and has 20, 000 in medical expenses. Of that 20, 000 how much should have been written off? Reply « Older Comments Leave a ReplyCancel reply Browse Related Articles Crypto Understanding Crypto and Capital Gains Work 7 Things You Need to Know About the New Business Report… Work Using Form 8829 to Write-Off Business Use of Your Home Tax Tips Roth 403(b) vs. Roth IRA: Which Should You Invest In? Life Interest Rates, Inflation, and Your Taxes Investments Essential Tax Tips for Maximizing Investment Gains Uncategorized TurboTax is Partnering with Saweetie to Elevate Hoop Dr… Business Small Business Owners: Optimize Your Taxes with a Mid-Y… Small Business The Benefits of Employing Your Children and the Tax Bre… Income and Investments Are Olympics Winnings Taxed?
I have a compartment problem in the lower leg and to stay active I was told to get a stationary bike. That would help with the circulation and strength. Can I deduct this? Reply
I had to buid a special adaptive living quarters for my invalid parents who need constant in home care. Is the cost for the medically necessary addition tax deductible? Reply
My wife and I file a joint return. Are our annual premiums for long-term care insurance deductible as medical expenses? Also, we claim my wife’s mother as a dependent on our joint return, as we pay the majority of her expenses. If we also pay some of her medical costs, can we deduct those costs as medical expenses? Reply
I pay for part of my health care. My employer pays the rest. Can I deduct the portion that I pay? Reply
Hello, my question is: my son got dental Braces on in 2014 I didn’t realize that you can claim this as a medical expense, so I never did.What if at all can I do about it? it costed me over $4000.00 I was making monthly payments..thanks to all for any help/ Reply
Hi i was in an car accident and was injured. Filled a lawsuit and had $40,000 worth of medical bills that I had paid after winning my lawsuit can I file taxes on that Reply
If I incurred medical expenses in 2014 are paying them off still in 2015 can the whole amount be deducted on my 2014 taxes? Reply
I elected to have gastric bypass surgery. My insurance wouldn’t cover it because my BMI wasn’t quite high enough. Is this surgery tax deductible even though it was elective? I paid cash. Reply
Can we claim stem cell therapy injections and treatments rendered at the Panama Stem Cell Center in Panama, Central America. The treatment is for secondary progressive multiple Schlorsis. Reply
Hi Marian, You would have to amend your 2013 taxes and claim your 2013 medical expenses there. Thank you, Lisa Greene-Lewis Reply
My 74 yr. old wife has had knee replacement, she also has a heart condition. She has problem climbing stairs, all of our bedrooms are on the 2nd flr. of our home. Her heart doctor gave her a prescription for a stair-lift, which we had installed. Can any part of this be deducted as a medical expense ? Reply
If my mom was in assisted living after having a fall and breaking her hip and wrist and paid rent at that facility (not a skilled nursing facility) but also paid rent on her own home is that deductible? She did receive a CRP from that facility. Also had to have grab bars installed in her own home in her bathroom, is that deductible? Also uses a wheelchair and a walker, is that deductible? Reply
My huband is a commercial fishermen and files a 1099. when we got what he owes back this year it didn’t seem right. It seems like a lot more than he should owe do to having 20, 000 in medical write offs for the year. He made 82, 000 and has 20, 000 in medical expenses. Of that 20, 000 how much should have been written off? Reply