Question:
Does anybody know if WLS is tax deductible for 2002?
I found this on www.fatlikeus.com: It's Official! Weight Loss Programs are now Tax Deductible As of today (April 3rd, 2002) the IRS says that since obesity is now classified as a disease, any weight loss attempts such as weight loss and exercise programs are tax deductible. I went to the IRS website and could not find information, but that doesn't say much because its very confusing. Does anyone know if the Weight Loss Surgery is tax deductible for 2002? If so, what are the requirements? Thanks, Marilyn — mac1266 (posted on June 24, 2002)
June 24, 2002
Yes, WLS is tax deductible-and not just this year. Go to http://www.aoa.org
(American Obesity Association). Navigate around, you will find a specific
article FROM an IRS "bigwig". If you're unable to locate it,
email me.
— yourdivaness
June 24, 2002
Yes, WLS is tax deductible-and not just this year. Go to
http://www.obesity.org (American Obesity Association). Navigate around, you
will find a specific article FROM an IRS "bigwig". If you're
unable to locate it, email me.
— yourdivaness
June 24, 2002
Yes it is. Go to www.flexamerica.com. This is website that provides
information on items covered under Section 125/Cafeteria plans.
— Rosario T.
June 24, 2002
It's deductible IF you ITEMIZE your deductions (and don't take the standard
deduction)
— [Deactivated Member]
June 24, 2002
From what I have been told (by my tax man) ANY medical expense is tax
deductable... all the way down to the vits and protein drinks we HAVE to
have :) Keep your receipts!
— DonnaCarol
June 24, 2002
Keep in mind that most vitamins are not deductible unless prescription,
except that if you now take $100/month of vitamins because you need to take
3x as many (vs $33 pre-op) then only the $67 is deductible. Protein drinks
are deductible only at the point when their use is in addition to a normal
diet, or above the cost of a "normal" diet. If you are now
subsisting on mainly protein drinks, (say $100/month) and you're buying
$100/month less groceries for your family becuase you don't eat except
little bites of the family meals, then your protein doesn't qualify as a
deductible expense. It is only when the cost of supplements is GREATER
than the cost of an average diet that they MAY be deductible.
— Heather K.
June 24, 2002
Surgery and hospital costs are deductible. Vitamins and protein shakes have
to be prescribed by a physician in order to be possibly deductible. Medical
Expenses are subject to the 7.5 per cent exclusion from your Adjusted Gross
Income
— snicklefritz
June 25, 2002
Marilyn,
I went to IRS.gov, at search I typed in weight loss surgery. There were
several (1,292 topics) search results found, I went to:
Publications
What Medical Expenses Are Deductible? Following is a list of items that you
can include in figuring your medical expense deduction. The items are
listed in alphabetical order. ...
http://www.irs.gov/formspubs/display/0,,i1=50&genericId=11553,00.html -
48.5KB
This is what I found through this search:
******Weight-Loss Program
You can include in medical expenses the cost of a weight-loss program
undertaken at a physician's direction to treat an existing disease (such as
heart disease). But you cannot include the cost of a weight-loss program if
the purpose of the weight control is to maintain your general good
health.****
Hope, I have helped in someway. ;-)
God Bless & take care. Janie
— TexFlutterby
June 25, 2002
Go to: http://www.obesity.org/taxguide.htm
New Federal Tax Guideline for 2000 A Taxpayer's Guide on IRS Policy to
Deduct Weight Control Treatment The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has
changed its policy regarding how taxpayers may deduct the costs of weight
loss/ weight control programs. AOA interprets "weight-loss
programs" to include bariatric surgery.
— Kristy J.
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