Medical expenses can trim taxes. Keeping good records and knowing what to deduct makes all the difference. Taxpayers can only claim medical expenses that they paid for if they itemize deductions on a federal tax return. Taxpayers can deduct most medical and dental costs that they paid for themselves, their spouses, and their dependents in excess of 7.5 percent of adjusted gross income.
Qualifying Expenses: In order to be eligible for the medical expense deduction, an individual’s expenses must be paid for medical care. Expenses for medical care include payments for medical or dental services, prescribed medicine and drugs, insulin, medical equipment and supplies, medical insurance premiums, transportation needed to get medical care, and many other medical-related expenses.
Although capital expenditures for home improvements and similar items are generally not deductible, if the purpose of a capital expenditure is for the medical care of an individual or the individual’s spouse or dependents, the cost can be deductible.
