Medical Checklist

• Posted on November 22, 2011
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After 2012, the limitation on deductible medical expenses increases for most taxpayers from the current 7.5% of AGI to 10% (it remains at 7.5% for taxpayers age 65 and over through 2016). So if you need some dental work, laser eye surgery, or other elective but deductible medical procedures, you might consider doing so sooner than later to take advantage of the current lower AGI limit. (But forget that face lift or other nip and tuck procedure you’ve been thinking about - cosmetic surgery costs aren’t deductible unless related to a physical injury or disfiguring disease.) Also, if you are paying for a procedure over time, it might be appropriate to pay it all at once to increase your currently deductible medical expenses.

Determining whether the tax benefits after the AGI limit is applied warrant the current expenditure can be complicated, and you may wish to call this office for assistance.

The following is a checklist of deductible medical expenses. The list is by no means all-inclusive, and some of the deductions listed may have additional restrictions not included here.

Abortion, Legal	Lead-Based Paint Removal
Acupuncture	Learning Disability
Artificial Limb	Learning Disability
Alcoholism Treatment	Medical Services
Ambulance	Medicines, Prescribed
Artificial Limb	Mentally Retarded, Special Home for
Artificial Teeth	Nursing Home
Birth Control Pills	Nursing Services
Braille Books and Magazines	Operations
Chiropractor	Optometrist
Christian Science Practitioner	Organ Donors
Contact Lenses	Osteopath
Crutches	Oxygen
Dental Treatment	Prosthesis
Drug Addiction Treatment	Psychiatric Care
Drugs (Prescription)	Psychoanalysis
Eyeglasses	Psychologist
Fertility Enhancement	Special Schools and Education
Guide Dog	Sterilization
Hearing Aids	Stop Smoking Programs
Hospital Services	Surgery
Impairment-Related Expenses	Therapy
Insurance Premiums	Vasectomy
Laboratory Fees	Weight-Loss Program
Laser Eye Surgery	Wig (Cancer Patient)

Please call this office with questions regarding these or other potential medical deductions.