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Medical Expenses a Commonly Missed Deduction

Written by: Bob O'Brien

Article Overview: Veteran Financial Planner explains the Medical Expense Deduction and money saving strategy.

Medical Expenses a Commonly Missed Deduction

Unfortunately, we all incur medical expenses from time to time and you really need to make certain that you understand this deduction. It’s important that you have a general idea as to how it works and make a mental note of the money saving strategy in case you incur these expenses.

This is one of the more commonly missed deductions. It is usually missed because of the fact that most people are never ready for it!

First of all, this is not the kind of deduction you want at all. Please accept my condolences if you have this deduction, because it is obviously due to an illness or injury of either yourself or a dependant.

The deduction is missed or not taken properly because it is not an expense that we incur consistently. Mortgage interest, property tax, .etc… are all “year in and year out” deductions for most people. But when you have the medical deduction because of perhaps something not covered (such as major medical services not covered by our health insurance or a high deductible), people are not used to taking the deduction at all.

Everyone incurs these deductible expenses all the time in the form of co-pays and prescriptions, but there is usually never enough to exceed the 7.5% floor. In other words if your AGI is $100k, you would need $7,500 in deductible medical expenses in order to start getting some “real” tax savings. $50k in AGI and you would need to have $3,750. ($50k X .075 = $3,750)


More often than not, your income is less when you have this deduction and therefore reduces the floor. For example, if your income is usually $100k you will then need $7,500 in medical expenses. But the injury or illness may cause you to miss some work and reduce your income, thus reaching the floor more quickly. If the income is $50k, then the floor is $3,750 and you then need all the deductions you can get.

Usually the basic “year to year” medical expenses do not add up to the floor and this why people miss the deduction when they really need it most!
Remember that expenses covered by insurance are not deductible, but the co-pays and deductibles are.

This is a direct link to the IRS web page where you can view all the things that are deductible under this medical deduction. There are about SEVENTY FIVE of them. http://www.irs.gov/publications/p502/index.html

Now, let’s get into the tax planning. I believe the best way to understand taxes better is from a tax planning perspective. (Just like investing, staying on top of the situation and being proactive as apposed re-active.) The tax code is a MILLION pages of double talk, but the planning can be a lot more general and easier to remember.

If you know that you are going to have one of these major deductions or you have a dependent that will affect your return with these expenses that will put you closer or over the floor, then try to consolidate as many medical expenses in that year as possible.

We have all heard of athletes that have postponed surgery for a knee, arm, or shoulder until the season is over. Another example: Dental surgery can be postponed and this sometimes requires a lot of out of pocket expenses.

Let say you have an income of $50k a year and your child needs some major dental work and it will cost $4k. You may want to consider taking care of all of the other major medical expenses that you can in that year because you are already over the floor and everything will be deductible like any other itemized deduction. Eye glasses, tests etc...Refer to the list that I have included above.

Please do not interpret this as any type medical advice. This will not always work out because sometimes we need care immediately.

But there are definitely instances where you can load up these expenses to reduce your tax bill significantly and so it is good to be aware of this strategy.

As a last note, be aware that medical expenses are an “add back” for the AMT (Alternative Minimum Tax) and that there is no substitute for a tax projection.



Sincerely,
Bob O’Brien

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Article Tags: agi, deductible expenses, deductible medical expenses, dependant, fact that most people, general idea, health insurance, insurance, interest property, medical deduction, medical services, money, mortgage interest, please accept my condolences, prescriptions, property tax
Referred by: http://www.mywealth.com



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