Key Facts On Deducting Medical Expenses

Published Monday, August 13, 2018 at: 7:00 AM EDT

Medical expenses can run up your expenses a lot. For that reason, the new tax law gives people a break by sweetening the long-time tax deduction for health care, at least for a couple of years.

Before the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), you could deduct medical expenses that exceeded 10% of your adjusted gross income (AGI). For the tax years of 2017 and 2018, the TCJA lowered the threshold to 7.5%. AGI is taxable income minus all deductions, IRA contributions and student loan interest. Of course, the medical tax break is available only to people who itemize.

The trouble is the more generous deduction expires after 2018, when the threshold rises back to 10%. Groups like AARP are lobbying in Washington to get the 7.5% level extended or made permanent, and that could factor into your timing and decisions about medical expenses in the months ahead.

Say your AGI is $45,000 and you rack up $5,475 in medical costs. You multiply $45,000 by 0.075 (7.5 percent) to get your deduction threshold of $3,375. Only medical expenses above $3,375 would be deductible. Result: your medical expense deduction is $2,100 ($5,475 minus $3,375).

Some big-ticket items are deductible medical expenses, like long-term care insurance premiums, nursing home payments and Medicare costs - including Medicare Part B, Medigap policies, Medicare Advantage programs and Part D Prescription plans.

In addition, any health insurance you pay out of pocket can be deducted. But that can't include coverage you pay for with before-tax dollars, which is often the case with employer-sponsored medical plans.

Another big deductible item is co-payments for prescription drugs - and also out-of-pocket fees for doctors, dentists, physical therapists and other health-care professionals not covered by Medicare or any other health insurance. Add in prescription eyeglasses, hearings aids and wheelchairs, and transportation costs to and from medical appointments, as well as alcohol and drug treatment programs.

Medical expenses are deductible only if they alleviate or prevent a physical or mental defect or illness, including dental and vision. So, you cannot deduct a gym membership if it is to promote your general wellness. However, if a doctor diagnoses you with a specific medical condition, such as obesity or hypertension, then the expense of the prescribed treatment may indeed be tax-deductible, including a gym membership.


This article was written by a veteran financial journalist. While these are sources we believe to be reliable, the information is not intended to be used as financial or tax advice without consulting a professional about your personal situation.

This article was written by a professional financial journalist for Preferred NY Financial Group,LLC and is not intended as legal or investment advice.

An individual retirement account (IRA) allows individuals to direct pretax incom, up to specific annual limits, toward retirements that can grow tax-deferred (no capital gains or dividend income is taxed). Individual taxpayers are allowed to contribute 100% of compensation up to a specified maximum dollar amount to their Tranditional IRA. Contributions to the Tranditional IRA may be tax-deductible depending on the taxpayer's income, tax-filling status and other factors. Taxed must be paid upon withdrawal of any deducted contributions plus earnings and on the earnings from your non-deducted contributions. Prior to age 59%, distributions may be taken for certain reasons without incurring a 10 percent penalty on earnings. None of the information in this document should be considered tax or legal advice. Please consult with your legal or tax advisor for more information concerning your individual situation.

Contributions to a Roth IRA are not tax deductible and these is no mandatory distribution age. All earnings and principal are tax free if rules and regulations are followed. Eligibility for a Roth account depends on income. Principal contributions can be withdrawn any time without penalty (subject to some minimal conditions).

© 2024 Advisor Products Inc. All Rights Reserved.