Claiming Medical Expenses

[Cheme]

Another quirk about medical deduction, is that you can count the mileage it took to get there and back. Also, lodging and meals associated with the visit are also deductable.

[WifeofBath]

What is the correct answer to this? Can you claim medical expenses if you had an FSA during the year?

I ask this because we used the entirety of our FSA before Dec. Could we claim any medical expenses that we incurred during December? It doesn't add up to much, mostly co-pays and Rx's. If I could claim them for the month of Dec, would it even be worth it?
TIA!

[Cheme]

Anything that came out pre-tax (employer based premiums, FSAs, etc) can not count in determining your medical expenses. FSAs/HSAs are actually used to lower your taxable income, so that amount must be subtracted from any co-pays, deductibles, etc you paid. You can not get double tax breaks.

[motherofmolly]

Originally Posted by Cheme Anything that came out pre-tax (employer based premiums, FSAs, etc) can not count in determining your medical expenses. FSAs/HSAs are actually used to lower your taxable income, so that amount must be subtracted from any co-pays, deductibles, etc you paid. You can not get double tax breaks.

this is correct....but if you spent more than your fsa took out...than any amount you went over you will be able to claim....but like i earlier stated, one needs to spend alot on medical expenses to claim it. if you know your total income for the year (what you normally would put on page one of a return) you can figure up if it is beneficial to you to do it....if you are not for sure...pm me and ill help you figure it out

[jonjaktez]

motherofmolly and cheme are correct. Great job you two. Taxes confuss most people, even accountant (those that don't have that niche of course).

Any insurace premiums that are not paid out of your paycheck thru an employer are usually paid before any payroll taxes are calculated. If you are not sure, contact with your employer's payroll department.

If you own your own business and have private health insurance, then you can claim all your insurance premiums on page 1 (i'll get back to you where that goes).

Co-pays, meds, dental, vision, gas to and from medical appts, lodging, meals (for extended medical services~need to double check this), and any other medical expenses spent over what you've paid into your FSAs are deductible on Schedule A above the 7.5% amount.

Over the counter meds are not tax deductible. Any amounts paid into life insurance are not tax deductibel. Any amounts paid into medical insurance, dental insurance, and fsa or anything insurance similar before payroll taxes are not tax deductible.

Divorced parents are a special case and that can be discussed if it comes up. It's really a case by case thing.


If you didn't keep up with all your receipts, call the doctor's offices and get your account statement as well as the drug stores. Your bank statments can work for lodging and meals as long as have a doctor/hospital recipts that parallels the date. These will also help with milage (sp). I usually take a sheet of paper and write down the dates and the miles and then calculate it there and them staple the back up documents to it.

You always want to have back up documents.

**Other Tips and Notes**

If you're itimized amount is NOT more than you standard deductible then take the standard but it's always best to work both of them out because you never know and keep both calculation.

Most tax preparer will tell you to only keep tax returns for 7 years but the IRS can audit you at any time for any year so always keep your tax returns for EVERY year. Even the one you filled the very first year. The IRS will not pay a refund past 3 years but if you owe money, you owe it even if it's from 20 years ago.

[Cheme]

If you are unable to get all the statements you need (ie - have moved away, can't remember all the pharmacies you visited), you can go through your insurance company. Most insurance companies allow you access old claims through their member websites. I know that Cigna allows you to view the last 24 months and clearly outlines how much was paid. Also, you can call the company and request a statement showing all of your expenses.

[jennifermevans]

These will also help with milage (sp). I usually take a sheet of paper and write down the dates and the miles and then calculate it there and them staple the back up documents to it.

Great post, thank you! I drive 3hours round trip for my son's appointments, do you know how much I should write down per mile? Someone told me .5 per mile, seems kind of high. Thank you!