Did you deduct your WLS on your taxes?

did you submit your weight loss surgery on your taxes for medical expense deduction? 

I was self pay and heard that you could submit your surgery costs (if you paid w/o insurance) for taxes and could maybe get some $$$ back.  My surgery was more than 7% of my husband's annual gross income (AGI), so I think we qualify (we paid just under $19,000).   Just curious if any of you did it and how much you got back!  

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p502.pdf  (look under operations on pg 12)

Thanks!! 

I did! I paid over $23,000 in 2006 and I got back roughly 1/3 of it on my taxes. My husband always has a zillion or so dollars worth of medical every year, so we always get some $$$ back because of medical bills, but that year we hit the jackpot on our taxes. Made it a little easier to justify paying all that money. :)  I also deducted my mileage, nut visits, contact lenses, and drugs (I had to take something for my gall bladder the first 6 months). I don't think I got to deduct vitamins or my gym membership, but I can't remember for sure.

Thanks Wanda for your post, I hope I get lucky like that too and get 1/3 back/!  We'll see!!

Christy, I was self pay and yes claimed it on my 2005 income tax.  Word of advice, get every receipt and keep every record of your expenses.  I did get a significant return back (both hubby and I had surgery in '05 and claimed the medical expenses).  We were also audited by the IRS in 2007 and I had to produce very last item I claimed for medical expenses.  Thankfully, they agreed with my expenses and I didn't have to pay anything back to them. 

What you will need in addition to your expenses is records from your PCP and surgeon that WLS was recommended due to co-morbidities.

I have receipts from the hospital and doctors office for the main charges for the surgery, but I didn't keep track of mileage to and from visits.  I also had a minor complication 2 weeks post op and have the receipts from that too.  I'm keeping all that in my folder that my doctor gave me of post op instructions, so I'll be ready if the IRS audits us!      Thanks for the info and help!! 

Oh, and did you have to get that letter after the IRS audited you from your PCP and surgeon (to prove you needed WLS) or did you have it to begin with?  Just curious.

I'm a tax guy.  The expenses are deductible to the extent that the total medical expenses for the year exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income.  So include all medical expenses (including dental expenses) for the year.  Include your eyeglasses, transportation back and forth to the doctors, prescriptions, health insurance premiums, long-term care premiums, and any other costs that are medical related.  To survive a tax audit you need to prove what you paid for and that you actually paid it.  I would deduct it whether you actually have receipts or not.  I wouldn't make things up but my position is that if I paid for it, I;m deducting it.  Most people are not audited so it is unlikely that you will actually have to produce the supporting documentation.

Because of the 7.5% limitation, many people do not receive a tax benefit for medical expenses.  If it is a year where you will get a deduction, it makes sense to bunch the costs into the year if you have an option.  For instance, it may make sense to pay your January health insurance premium in December of the year where you know you will exceed the limitation;  same for other medical related expenses.

Now Plastic Surgery may not be deductible if it is purely cosmetic.  If that is an expense you expect to incur, it would be advisable to obtain a prescription for it from your doctor and it should state a medical condition that requires plastic surgery.  Again, if and when it happens and assuming you can get a doctor to prescribe it, be sure to bunch your medical expenses into that particular tax year.

Hi Mike:

          I'm having my surgery overseas, can i still deduct that from my taxes, because my insurance doesnt cover WLS and im paying it out of pocket?


                                  Karina

Yes your surgery is deductible  IF your doctor prescribes the surgery to treat a specific medical problem; should not be a problem because anyone who needs this surgery has a medical condition which needs treatment.  They KEY is the prescription by a medical doctor.