Question:
Tax writeoff for the medical treatment of Obesity

Ok... I was watching the news tonight and they did a piece on how the IRS will allow tax writeoffs for medical measures taken to treat obesity... That would be so great if I could write off what my insurance didn't pay... does anyone out there know more about this... please fill me in... Thanks    — Michele Z. (posted on December 19, 2000)

December 18, 2000
Took a look at the IRS web site and found that you can include the cost of medication, surgery, doctor visits in your itemized deductions. The catch to this is what you pay out has to be more than 7.5% of your yearly income. So you would have to have out of pocket medical expenses of more than $750.00 for every $10,000.00 of income. Just take you yearly income times .075 and that will give you the least amount that your medical expenses can be. If you have any other questions about medical deductions just call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. Hope this helps.
   — richter454

December 18, 2000
Yes, the IRS does this, but it doesn't have anything to do with the type of treatment. Not obesity in particular. Rather, any medical expenses. This, I believe, if if you are itemizing your deductions. If health expenses for a year are ever, say, 1/5 of your income or more (just guessing), then this can be a real help. I almost did this myself one year.
   — ericklein

December 19, 2000
I wrote mine off to medical expense. I didn't separate it or anything. It was something I did to keep on breathing, so I never questioned it. A year later, I also wrote off my TT, as my ins considered it medically necessary. I didn't even TRY when I had my chest put back up on my chest, though...
   — vitalady