Medical expenses are subject to 10% of AGI and are deductible on schedule A.
But did you know you can deduct payments that you made for medical expenses for your ex-spouse? Even if couple is not filling joint return, one partner who paid for another one’s medical expenses can deduct those on his/her tax return. Remember, couple had to be married, while payment occurred for medical expenses or when medical treatment was received.
Deduction is taken in the year payment is made, even though treatment might have happened in the different year. If a payment for medical expenses made with a credit card, deduction is claimed in a year charge was made, not a credit card statement was paid.
Also to be able to deduct medical expenses paid for someone else, this “someone else person” needs to be either qualifying child (age 19 and under, or until 24 if a child full time student, or any age if child is disabled) or a qualified relative- someone who is closely related to you.
Per IRS publication 502, deductible medical expenses may include but are not limited to the following:
- Payments of fees to doctors, dentists, surgeons, chiropractors, psychiatrists, psychologists, and nontraditional medical practitioners
- Payments for acupuncture treatments or inpatient treatment at a center for alcohol or drug addiction, for participation in a smoking-cessation program and for drugs to alleviate nicotine withdrawal that require a prescription
- Payments to participate in a weight-loss program for a specific disease or diseases diagnosed by a physician, including obesity, but not ordinarily payments for diet food items or the payment of health club dues
- Payments for insulin and payments for drugs that require a prescription
- Payments for false teeth, reading or prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses, hearing aids, crutches, wheelchairs, and for guide dogs for the blind or deaf
