Tax Deductible Medical Expenses for 2011, 2012

If you would like to deduct medical expenses from your tax return you will not be able to take the standard deduction. The only way to claim medical expenses is if you itemize tax deductions. You may be able to claim your medical expenses (including dental) for yourself, your spouse, and your dependents.

Medical Expenses

If you’re wondering what the criteria is to qualify as a medical expense then, here is the definition from the IRS. “A deduction is allowed only for expenses paid for the prevention or alleviation of a physical or mental defect or illness. Medical care expenses include payments for the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease, or treatment affecting any structure or function of the body.”

So now that you have the correct terms for understanding what qualifies and what does not you are probably still wondering if your specific expense is allowed. If you are looking for the long list of detailed information I would suggest consulting Publication 502 which is a publication directly from the IRS.

The contents are listed alphabetically and start with abortion and go all the way down to weight loss. There are so many different listings and you will find what you’re looking for I’m quite sure.

Please keep in mind prevention does not include items such as vitamins. Items that are merely beneficial to general health are not considered a qualifying medical deduction.

Diagnostic Medical Test

Here a few new things added to the list of qualifying medical expenses;

• An annual physical examination
• A full body electronic scan
• A pregnancy test kit

Other Questions to Consider

• What’s new?
• What expenses can you include this year?
• How much of the expenses can you deduct?
• What medical expenses are included?
• What medical expenses are not included?

If you’re looking for detailed information on tax deductible medical expenses then, Turbo Tax Online can most certainly help you. How would you like a software program to do all of the searching for you?

At TurboTax you simply answer a few questions and plug in your information. They will scan your tax return for you to make sure you don’t miss even one deduction you deserve to claim! Let the tax experts at TurboTax Online help you today!