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 Newer Comments » Hello – can you deduct the amount for braces, headgear, and bite plates from the orthodontist to prevent the growth rate of my son’s bottom jaw? Wasn’t sure because it only mentions a dentist as tax deductible and not an orthodontist. Reply Yes. An orthodontist is a dentist who specializes in the field. It should be covered if it’s a valid form of treatment. It sounds a bit extreme to me. Make sure you get a second opinion. Reply IRS Publication shows Lodging expense costs are limited to $50 dollars per day. Me and my wife accompanied our daughter for treatment at a out of state hospital. Can we deduct $100 or $150 per day for the 2 days we spent making arrangements and discussing her treatment plan with the physicians at the hospital? Our daughter was an in patient resident. Are there any limits on the time spent away for the husband and wife to claim a lodging expense while the child is institutionalized for her illness? Reply No, sorry. Only the patient can deduct health expenses. You went with your daughter as concerned parents. You did not travel there to get treatment. You should think of it as something you would normally do to help out a child of yours. Reply That’s incorrect. Look on the IRS website. The amount you include in medical expenses for lodging cannot be more than $50 for each night for each person. You can include lodging for a person traveling with the person receiving the medical care. For example, if a parent is traveling with a sick child, up to $100 per night can be included as a medical expense for lodging I just had an emergency appendectomy. I have gotten bills from the surgeon, Radiology, E.R., Hospital, and Anesthesia. It comes out to over $42,000 and I am just going to make what payments that I can. Do I just deduct whatever payments I have made at the end of the year? Reply Yes, you can deduct the amount over 7.5% of your adjusted gross income when itemizing. Reply I am disabled and broke my foot. I had to buy a ramp to get in and out of my home can I claim that as part of my medical expenses? Reply If a doctor prescribed the ramp, then you can deduct the amount over 7.5% of your gross adjusted income, if you itemize. Reply Hi! My husband uses a CPAP machine (which goes through insurance) and we were wondering if the supplies that he uses with the machine (nose gel pads and filters) can be paid for through the Health Savings Account. Thanks! Reply Can I deduct cost of a wig prescribe by my doctor Reply Can I deduct auto expense using my car to go for medical treatment Reply Yes. Definitely. The per mile charge will be in the instructions of your tax form. This year it’s 24 cents a mile. Reply Can I deduct the cost of having someone else travel with me for treatment . NIH Is paying my travel, but can i deduct the travel expenses of having someone travel with me. Reply If you can prove that person is necessary for you to get to where you need to go, such as a driver or an aide, then you can. But if it’s just a companion, you can’t. A letter from your doctor saying this person is necessary to accompany you can go a long way if the IRS audits you. Reply which section we deduct medical treatment Reply Which under section we can deduction medical tratment sharma Reply « Older Comments Newer Comments » Leave a ReplyCancel reply Browse Related Articles Life What Medical Expenses are Tax Deductible? Family Is This Tax Deductible? 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Hello – can you deduct the amount for braces, headgear, and bite plates from the orthodontist to prevent the growth rate of my son’s bottom jaw? Wasn’t sure because it only mentions a dentist as tax deductible and not an orthodontist. Reply
Yes. An orthodontist is a dentist who specializes in the field. It should be covered if it’s a valid form of treatment. It sounds a bit extreme to me. Make sure you get a second opinion. Reply
IRS Publication shows Lodging expense costs are limited to $50 dollars per day. Me and my wife accompanied our daughter for treatment at a out of state hospital. Can we deduct $100 or $150 per day for the 2 days we spent making arrangements and discussing her treatment plan with the physicians at the hospital? Our daughter was an in patient resident. Are there any limits on the time spent away for the husband and wife to claim a lodging expense while the child is institutionalized for her illness? Reply
No, sorry. Only the patient can deduct health expenses. You went with your daughter as concerned parents. You did not travel there to get treatment. You should think of it as something you would normally do to help out a child of yours. Reply
That’s incorrect. Look on the IRS website. The amount you include in medical expenses for lodging cannot be more than $50 for each night for each person. You can include lodging for a person traveling with the person receiving the medical care. For example, if a parent is traveling with a sick child, up to $100 per night can be included as a medical expense for lodging
I just had an emergency appendectomy. I have gotten bills from the surgeon, Radiology, E.R., Hospital, and Anesthesia. It comes out to over $42,000 and I am just going to make what payments that I can. Do I just deduct whatever payments I have made at the end of the year? Reply
I am disabled and broke my foot. I had to buy a ramp to get in and out of my home can I claim that as part of my medical expenses? Reply
If a doctor prescribed the ramp, then you can deduct the amount over 7.5% of your gross adjusted income, if you itemize. Reply
Hi! My husband uses a CPAP machine (which goes through insurance) and we were wondering if the supplies that he uses with the machine (nose gel pads and filters) can be paid for through the Health Savings Account. Thanks! Reply
Yes. Definitely. The per mile charge will be in the instructions of your tax form. This year it’s 24 cents a mile. Reply
Can I deduct the cost of having someone else travel with me for treatment . NIH Is paying my travel, but can i deduct the travel expenses of having someone travel with me. Reply
If you can prove that person is necessary for you to get to where you need to go, such as a driver or an aide, then you can. But if it’s just a companion, you can’t. A letter from your doctor saying this person is necessary to accompany you can go a long way if the IRS audits you. Reply