Close

Blog

Back to Article List

Maximize Your Medical Deductions

Share this article...

On December 22, 2017, The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was signed into law. The information in this article predates the tax reform legislation and may not apply to tax returns starting in the 2018 tax year. You may wish to speak to your tax advisor about the latest tax law. This publication is provided for your convenience and does not constitute legal advice. This publication is protected by copyright.

Maximize Your Medical Deductions
Article Highlights
  • The medical deduction AGI floor has increased to 10%, up from 7.5%.

  • For taxpayers age 65 or older and their joint-filing spouses, the AGI floor remains at 7.5% until 2017.

  • For all taxpayers subject to the alternative minimum tax (AMT), the AGI floor is 10%.
Beginning this tax year, the only medical expenses that you can deduct are those in excess of 10% of your adjusted gross income (AGI), up from the previous 7.5% AGI limitation. The limitation remains at 7.5% for taxpayers age 65 and over through 2016, unless they are subject to the alternative minimum tax, in which case it is 10% for them as well. For joint return filers not subject to the AMT, if either spouse is age 65 or older, the 7.5% of AGI limitation applies to their joint medical expenses.

If you don't itemize your deductions or are nowhere near exceeding the AGI limitation, you need not concern yourself with this deduction. On the other hand, if you do itemize and think you might meet the AGI limitation, then it may be worth your time to summarize your medical expenses for the year.

Use the following checklist to help you accumulate your deductible medical expenses. The list is by no means all-inclusive, and some of the deductions listed may have additional restrictions not included here.
  • Ambulance
  • Artificial Limb
  • Artificial Teeth
  • Birth Control Pills
  • Braille Books and Magazines
  • Abortion, Legal
  • Acupuncture
  • Alcoholism Treatment
  • Chiropractor
  • Christian Science Practitioner
  • Contact Lenses
  • Crutches
  • Dental Treatment
  • Drug Addiction Treatment
  • Drugs (Prescription)
  • Eyeglasses
  • Fertility Enhancement
  • Guide Dog
  • Hearing Aids
  • Hospital Services
  • Impairment-Related Expenses
  • Insurance Premiums
  • Laboratory Fees
  • Laser Eye Surgery
  • Lead-based Paint Removal
  • Learning Disability Treatment
  • Medicare B & D Premiums
  • Medical Services
  • Medicines, Prescribed
  • Mentally Retarded, Special Home for
  • Nursing Home
  • Nursing Services
  • Operations
  • Optometrist
  • Organ Donors
  • Osteopath
  • Oxygen
  • Prosthesis
  • Psychiatric Care
  • Psychoanalysis
  • Psychologist
  • Special Schools and Education
  • Sterilization
  • Stop Smoking Programs
  • Surgery
  • Therapy
  • Vasectomy
  • Weight-loss Program
  • Wig (Cancer Patient)
If you have questions related to your medical tax deductions please give this office a call.

PDF
Printable PDF

Have a Question About This Topic?

I confirm this is a service inquiry and not an advertising message or solicitation. By clicking “Submit”, I acknowledge and agree to the creation of an account and to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

NEVER MISS A STORY.

Sign up for our newsletters and get our articles delivered right to your inbox.

 

Track Your Refund

 
Track Federal Refund Check Federal Amended Return Refund

Check your State Refund