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From: AJBP2009 on 6 Apr 2008 19:34
Hi everyone. I just got this email in my inbox, and I thought I'd
share it. I didn't realize that many of these things could be
deducted, and I thought maybe there are a few of you out there who
didn't realize it either. This came out in my Body Ecology newsletter
that I get through this website: http://www.bodyecology.com/

The U.S. tax deadline is coming -- and a new tax season has begun --
so if you have not read this important article, now is the time...

Did you know that many of your medical expenses are tax deductible?

That's right! The government will actually reward you for taking
proper care of yourself. And with April 15 right around the corner,
now is the time to get your records in order so that you can maximize
your health-related tax deductions.

But what about special diet foods, probiotics, fermented foods and
drinks and nutritional supplements used on the Body Ecology program?
Read on to learn more of the ins and outs of tax deductible medical
expenses.


Tax Deductible Medical Expenses

A whole host of medical and dental expenses are tax deductible,
according to current tax laws.

The government defines tax-deductible medical expenses as those that
are associated with the "costs of diagnosis, cure, mitigation,
treatment, or prevention of disease." 1

The government also allows you to deduct dental expenses and the costs
of equipment, supplies, and diagnostic devices.2

According to IRS guidelines, here's a partial list of some medical
expenses that are tax deductible:

Acupuncture
Artificial teeth
Chiropractor
Contact lenses
Dental care including X-rays, fillings, braces, and extractions
Eye surgery
Insurance premiums
Laboratory tests
Operations that do not involve cosmetic procedures
Psychiatric care
Psychologist
Sterilization
Stop-smoking programs
The IRS does specify that any deductions you take are for medical
expenses that actually treat or prevent an illness. Medical expenses
for general health, like vitamins, supplements and vacations, are not
eligible.


Are Special Foods and Supplements Tax Deductible?

Tax deductions for special dietary needs are more regulated.

The IRS states that you "cannot include the cost of diet food or
beverages in deductible medical expenses because the diet food and
beverages substitute for what is normally consumed to satisfy
nutritional needs."3

If, however, you are on a special diet that has been prescribed by a
doctor for a specific medical condition, you may be able to deduct the
cost of special dietary foods for the amount in which they exceed the
normal cost of food.

Still, you may be able to deduct the cost of special foods if they
meet all of the following requirements4:

Your foods alleviate or treat an illness.
Your physician agrees with your need for the special food.
Your foods do not satisfy "normal" nutritional needs.
If your foods meet all the requirements, you can deduct the amount you
pay for special foods that is over and above the cost of a regular
diet. Make sure that you talk to your doctor about the diet and the
role it plays in your health, especially if you have a chronic disease
or illness that the diet addresses.

There are many questions about whether gluten free and casein free
foods can be deducted from taxes, since they are needed for diagnosed
medical conditions like celiac disease and autism.

Other questions often arise about nutritional supplements like
probiotics, which can include the cost of fermented foods and drinks
to heal candida, autism and other diagnosed medical conditions.

As for nutritional supplements, the IRS states that in order to be tax
deductible, nutritional supplements must be prescribed by a doctor for
a specific medical condition.

If you have questions about these foods and nutritional supplements,
we encourage you to talk to your physician and your medical advisor to
find out if your health expenses can be included as a tax-deductible
medical expense.

It might take some time and effort to document your expenses related
to Body Ecology, but in the long run, it could be worth it.


The General Guidelines

You can deduct only the amount of your medical and dental expenses
that is more than 7.5% of your adjusted gross income (Form 1040, line
38).

So if your adjusted gross income is $30,000, then 7.5% is $2250. If
your deductible medical expenses are more than $2250, then you can
deduct them.


Healthy Tax Deductions

Are you ready to take the tax deductions that help your health?

Get familiar with all the ins and outs of tax deductible medical
expenses in IRS Publication 502, and make sure to ask your accountant
or financial advisor to go over any new deductions with you in detail.


Sources:
IRS Publication 502.
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p502.pdf
2 ibid.
3 ibid.
4 ibid.

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