plastics and tax write off

Just have a quick question about taxes.  My insurance will not cover breast aug and tummy tuck post vertical sleeve unless medically necessary such as infections under skin or breast.  does anyone know or has any written off the cost of procedures due to 'out of pocket" medical expense??
thanks

I am not a tax expert, but my understanding is that if your insurance company does not see it as 'medically necessary' then it is considered 'cosmetic'.

You cannot take the expenses of cosmetic surgery as an IRS deduction.

I welcome other opinions and will be looking for them ---- also, not sure if you can deduct them from your State taxes, just not from your Fed.

I don't really know the answer to your question however I do remember this being asked maybe a couple months ago and if I recall correctly there was someone who did write them off- but their were conflicting opinions whether or not it is OK.  Try digging back over the last few months and see if you can find the thread.  Probably the best bet is to speak with a tax preparer and ask your surgeon to write a letter stating why he felt it was medically necessary even though your insurance refused to cover it- keep that letter on file in case youre audited.  Good luck!

I am a tax accountant as well as WLS patient.  Here are some guidelines you might want to consider...If in doubt then please go to the www.irs.gov website and search for medical expenses, and then make your own decision.

First of all, IRS does consider obesity to be a disease.  And when someone is consulting with a plastic surgeon regarding removal of excess skin (a disfigurement of obesity) then it is not considered to be cosmetic surgery, but reconstructive surgery.  You are not having breast aug and tummy tuck just because you cant get back to your normal size following having a baby, etc. but because you were an obese person before you had WLS.  Yes, one of the posters commented that cosmetic surgery is not deductible, and that is correct...but this is considered to be reconstructive surgery.  It does not matter that your insurance did not or will not cover these procedures. 

My insurance did not cover any of initial surgery of WLS, my breast lift with implants, my lower body lift, or any other reconstructive surgery, but that did not prevent me from claiming those $$ on my tax return.  Please also remember that your deductible medical expenses has to exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income (bottom line number on page 1 of the 1040).

I did talk with the principal in the CPA firm that I work for regarding this very issue.  His take on this whole scenario was to take the deduction on your tax return....and if you happen to be one of the lucky ones (insert sarcasm) to be called for an audit, then you will have to defend your position....but, in the long run you shouldnt have a problem...just a hassle of having to defend your position.

My surgeon wrote a letter for me that removal of the excess skin on my arms, thighs, and breasts (BL) were required due to extreme weight loss and the problems caused by my excess skin (rashes, etc.).  My CPA said the letter was all I needed to write the costs off on my taxes which hedid.  My insurance covered by TT.  I just had work done my face which was strictly cosmetic and which I won't be able to write off.  Good luck.