Weight Loss Tax Deductions?
H&R Block has been promoting National Tax Advice Day (10th Jan). Any mention of the word "tax" is enough to make my eyes glaze over. However one particular page is of interest - Lose weight, fatten your wallet.
In 2004, the IRS elected to allow tax deductions for "obesity" treatment. Previously this only covered related problems such as heart disease and hypertension.
H&R block asserts that deductible expenses can be:
Weight-loss program costs such as initiation fees, fees to attend periodic meetings, and certain other expenses not reimbursed by health insurance.I don't think this quite covers your whole supermarket bill:Under certain very specific conditions in the IRS ruling, the cost of certain special foods can be deductible. Also, with a lot of qualifications, some health club fees can be deductible as part of the weight-loss treatment
Unfortunately, reduced-calorie foods purchased as part of many weight-loss programs aren’t deductible because the diet foods replace the foods you normally would eat every day.
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Unfortunatelly not even a gym can be deducted, and you have to have a doctor's note with your weight reduction group bill. I guess TOPS, Weight Watchers, and such does fit into this, if a doctor tells you to go, and backs it up with a note.
From the IRS web site:
Reply"You cannot include amounts you pay to lose weight unless the weight loss is a treatment for a specific disease diagnosed by a physician (such as obesity, hypertension, or heart disease). This includes fees you pay for membership in a weight reduction group and attendance at periodic meetings. Also, you cannot include membership dues in a gym, health club, or spa."
I've had a lot of people ask me if they can write off their fitness equipment purchases on their taxes and I say it's not a great idea, because you don't have to be unhealthy/overweight to buy something like that. You have to be very careful with itemizing. Better off using your tax refund to buy a treadmill with ;0
ReplyI think most doctors woud support your efforts on weight loss and would provide a note.
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