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Lyme Disease ForumsMedicine & TreatmentsTax deductions for medical treatments
08/14/2011 03:10 PM
rowergirl2010
 
Posts: 808
Member
I'm an Advocate

I am trying to get my spreadsheets ready before I go back to work so that come tax time things might be a bit easier! I know that we can file for medical mileage and supplements under a doctors orders. What else can we file for?

If someone knows please share the minimum miles for mileage reimbursement. I know you can use a three year period for which I have over 3000 miles.

On the supplements end... Does one need a doctors signature on the spreadsheet to say that these supplements were ordered by him or her?

I have to pay up this year and hope not to next year considering how much I have spent being sick.

P23 and P41 bands positive, IBS like symptoms caused by possible candida, herbal and antiobiotic treatment, gluten free, candida diet.

I do not have a medical license so my suggestions are limited to personal experience and research. Also I am not a lawyer so if I offer advice relating to school issues it is only from my experiences as a special education teacher, my own disabilities real or Lyme induced, and research.
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08/14/2011 04:14 PM  Top
smileanyway
smileanyway
 
Posts: 637
Member

I understand not wanting to pay and needing the extra money. Lyme is an expensive disease. I don't know how to go about that. As for me I'm a bit leery about putting the fact that I have lyme disease down on paper for them to see.

Also llmd's are a target for the FDA and government. Is there a way that it could be done without involving your Dr or stating that you have lyme? Because if there is then I'm in. I need money so bad.


08/14/2011 04:28 PM  Top
rowergirl2010
 
Posts: 808
Member
I'm an Advocate

I am not writing down that I have Lyme. I have documented my travels to and from doctors I have seen gyno, gp, urgent care, er, etc. I am also writing down the close to 2000 dollars worth of supplements I have taken in six months - I am doing only herbs and supplements.

The tax reg I read though requires that your supplements are under a doctors orders to get reimbursement. Not sure how one goes about proving such though.

P23 and P41 bands positive, IBS like symptoms caused by possible candida, herbal and antiobiotic treatment, gluten free, candida diet.

I do not have a medical license so my suggestions are limited to personal experience and research. Also I am not a lawyer so if I offer advice relating to school issues it is only from my experiences as a special education teacher, my own disabilities real or Lyme induced, and research.

08/14/2011 09:01 PM  Top
smileanyway
smileanyway
 
Posts: 637
Member

Wow, I could have used that last yr. Can you let me when you get it figured out? Thanks

08/15/2011 02:03 AM  Top
Bettyg
 
Posts: 26648
VIP Member
I'm an Advocate

amanda,

i just sent your question to an online friend, a former tax accountant; so if you don't hear from folks here; i know she will answer as time permits Wink

her husband has been so sick for 7-10 yrs; they've seen many, many llmds in many states.

when i hear back, i'll post here, and we'll put this someplace where it can be used over and over.

i include my OTC stuff; i save every bill and highlite it so it shows up.

mileage is for every dr, getting meds, otc, chiro, etc.

iowa friend, bettyg, group leader/activist/llmd coordinaotr

BettyG, IOWA ACTIVIST
RETIRED llmd coordinator of 6 yrs; group leader

NOTE: I DO "NOT" USE CHAT thanks!
**************************************

NO INFORMATION SHOULD BE CONSIDERED MEDICAL ADVICE.
please see my WELCOME LETTER/BEGINNER'S LINKS with important links/info galore :)

http://www.mdjunction.com/forums/lyme-disease-support-forums/general-support/2356916-bettygs-welcome-letter-wgood-beginner-links-

Any information provided should not be used to take the place of advice from your personal physician or other professional.

Information on those sites is the opinion of those who publish the sites and is NOT necessarily that of BettyG.

43 yrs. chronic lyme; 35 yrs. misdiagnosed by 40-50 drs. unacceptable; see my profile for more.

08/15/2011 02:07 PM  Top
faithful777
 
Posts: 71
Member

Betty,

Have you been able to claim otc supplements on your taxes? I asked my accountant about us claiming those items last year and was told that we can't claim anything otc, just prescription meds.


08/15/2011 02:31 PM  Top
wlkthlne
wlkthlne
 
Posts: 1605
Senior Member

Yes, very simple...get a note from your doctor that he recomended these OTC's....for you to take.

Do it every December before the new year...and staple all those receipts to the letter....or same folder.

I've not seen a problem with it yet..

truth be told...the way your tax form is done....you have to reach a high high high spending bracket to begin with...

so..by the time you reach that...you can kiss most of that write off anyway...

also...I think it is only 2% to some number anyway...so.....in the end...ya be lucky if it takes 100bucks off the tax bill.....

It depends on alot of factors....I remember someone tellin' me.....

the tax program(turbo tax)...it said...ok now medical expence...YOU MUST have over 7K in order to even concider writing it off.....that person was lower middle class with only two in household....

so.....Uncle sams skin on his back is still pretty thick.....(no skin off his back)

Hey, if your tax guy says NO....then so be it..if your fine with that...

wlk--

Cool

Anything I post or respond to comes from a Lyme and Bart victim himself. I am NOT a doctor. I do my own research for ME...I may share my findings and will post them. They are for general talk and vent...If a group leader feels the info is worth saving somewhere, they are more than welcome to do with it as they like. Wlk=)

08/15/2011 03:53 PM  Top
faithful777
 
Posts: 71
Member

I have gotten a prescription for my supplements to use on my medical spending account pre tax dollars, but my cpa says I can't claim them on federal taxes regardless if I hit the percentage or not.

08/15/2011 04:02 PM  Top
rowergirl2010
 
Posts: 808
Member
I'm an Advocate

I got money back on supplements through my spending account. I had one the first year I was teaching. I had to submit my own claims with receipts though. So if something didn't fit I would get a letter telling me so. The link below details allowable items! It say dietary supplements when used to treat an illness. I think this qualifies.

http://www.flexiblespendingaccountsonline.com/flex-spending- account-deduction.php

P23 and P41 bands positive, IBS like symptoms caused by possible candida, herbal and antiobiotic treatment, gluten free, candida diet.

I do not have a medical license so my suggestions are limited to personal experience and research. Also I am not a lawyer so if I offer advice relating to school issues it is only from my experiences as a special education teacher, my own disabilities real or Lyme induced, and research.

08/16/2011 03:45 AM  Top
faithful777
 
Posts: 71
Member

You are right, you can get that money back from a medical spending account/flexible spending account. If you are like my family, we go through that spending account fast. Once it is gone, you can't claim those supplements as medical tax deductions at the end of the year. Even if you can claim medical expenses that go over that certain percentage of your income, OTC supplements are not eligible to be deducted on the year end tax return. They only qualify for a medical expense account with a doctor's note or prescription.
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Health Topics: mileage, taxes
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