Tax Deductible Medical Expenses-Supps CAN BE DEDUCTED if they are doctor recommended!
Tammy N.
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 26835
posted 03-08-2012 02:47 PM
My doctor told me you can deduct supplements, etc. if you purchase them from a doctor's office. To double check, I asked my accountant, he said no. Well, guess what? It looks like he is wrong.
I went to the government site and this is what I found:
Nutritional Supplements
You cannot include in medical expenses the cost of nutritional supplements, vitamins, herbal supplements, "natural medicines", etc. [b]unless they are recommended by a medical practitioner as treatment for a specific medical condition diagnosed by a physician.
Otherwise, these items are taken to maintain your ordinary good health, and are not for medical care.
Here is the link regarding all medical deductions:
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p502.pdf
For me, to play it safe, I will only deduct those supps that I actually purchased for the doctor's office.
I'm tempted to add up my vitacost and iherb receipts also, but it may be hard to prove which ones were doctor-recommended for my "condition".[/b]
Anyway, happy tabulating!
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted 03-08-2012 03:10 PM
You can also deduct fees to LLMDs, NDs, Acupuncturists, too - if for a medical condition (does not matter WHAT and that should not be needed).
Travel costs and lodging to out of town appointments, too.
For those who need a tax prep professional, you might ask for referrals from you area lyme support groups.
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Lymetoo
Moderator
Member # 743
posted 03-08-2012 03:28 PM
3You would also need a script from the doctor for any supps you deduct.--------------------
TxCoord
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 9204
posted 03-08-2012 04:02 PM
The difficult part is if you file short form you can't deduct, and if you don't have enough deductions it does no good. I wish it would be right off the top along with non-profit donations.
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SoOverIt
Member
Member # 31168
posted 03-08-2012 04:33 PM
You do not need a script from your Dr. AS LONG as it is recorded in your medical history/notes that he/she wants you on these supplements for your condition.
Take it from someone that had worked for an accountant doing taxes for 10 years. -
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gmb
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 23562
posted 03-08-2012 04:38 PM
You need well over $3000 in medical costs to make any impact to your refund. Anything less it's not worth the time.
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LymeLogged
Junior Member
Member # 36494
posted 03-08-2012 04:42 PM
In 2010 I had $35,000 in deductable medical expenses. I included all supplements, milage, tolls, infrared sauna, everything.
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Razzle
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 30398
posted 03-08-2012 04:43 PM
$3000 is a drop in the bucket with this disease!
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-Razzle
Things you can not deduct:
[b]Over-the-counter medications (such as Benadryl).
Medications purchased from outside the US, such as medications purchased from a Canadian pharmacy/website.
Amounts over $50 per person per night for hotel bills spent while travelling for medical purposes.
Amounts reimbursed by insurance or other parties.
Health insurance premiums, unless you are self-employed (special forms & rules for this) or you do not have insurance through an employer.-[/b]-Razzle
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kidsgotlyme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 23691
posted 03-08-2012 05:12 PM
We deducted our insurance premiums for last year. Our tax guy told us we could.
I hope we don't get audited
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aMomWithHope
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 19255
posted 03-08-2012 05:29 PM
If the infrared can be deducted.......Hmmm?.......I wonder if the Bionic or PE1 can be deducted? Probably only with a doctor's note--now where to find a doctor who will prescribe it? [/b
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Tammy N. posted 03-08-2012 05:39 PM
[b]Before you can deduct, you have to first calculate what 7.5% of your adjust gross income would be. Up to this amount you CANNOT deduct. But anything over and above that amount is what you CAN deduct.
And don't forget mileage. For 2011, this is the breakdown:
Jan to June - .19 per mile
July - Dec - 23.5 per mile
I was told you can deduct insurance premiums.
I wonder though if it can be on the first page, or if it needs to be on the schedule.
I've received conflicting answers from 2 of our past accountants. Our previous guy said it must be on the schedule.
But last year our accountant took the premiums on page 1, then the other out of pockets on the schedule. Hope this was okay.
Anyone know about this for sure?
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country mouse
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 32073
03-08-2012 06:42 PM
You can deduct health insurance premiums IF you do not pay for them pre-tax!!!
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marypart
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 27012
posted 03-08-2012 07:56 PM
You can deduct supplements that have been recommended by a doctor for a specific condition.
Our doctor writes all her recommendations in her patient instructions, which are her chart pages, and she gives us a copy. I keep all receipts for the supps and the copies of the instructions.
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Post edited by: Bettyg, at: 03/10/2012 03:44 AM
Post edited by: Bettyg, at: 03/10/2012 03:49 AM
