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Deductions & credits

Any medical expenses that you incur for "unnecessary cosmetic surgery" are not deductible. The IRS allows you to write off medical expenses that are related to procedures that cure a condition or disease, treat or restore your body, or improve your general health.

 

However note below: Cosmetic surgery, if necessary to improve a deformity related to a congenital abnormality, accident or disease is included. 

 

 Here is a list of qualified medical expenses. Note that this isn't a complete list of every available expense — just some of the more common ones. For the complete list, see IRS Publication 502.

  • Acupuncture
  • Addiction treatment, including meals and lodging at a drug or alcohol addiction treatment center.
  • Birth control pills prescribed by a doctor
  • Braille books and periodicals used by a person who is visually impaired
  • Breast pumps and pumping supplies
  • Breast reconstruction surgery following a mastectomy for cancer
  • Chiropractic services for medical care
  • Contact lenses
  • Cosmetic surgery, if necessary to improve a deformity related to a congenital abnormality, accident or disease
  • Dental treatment for the prevention and alleviation of dental disease
  • Diagnostic devices, such as blood sugar test kits
  • Diet food, when prescribed by a doctor to alleviate a specific medical condition
  • Doctor or physician expenses
  • Exercise programs, when recommended by a doctor to treat a specific medical condition
  • Eye exams
  • Eye surgery, such as LASIK or a similar procedure
  • Eyeglasses
  • False teeth
  • Fertility treatments, including in vitro fertilization, surgery and temporary storage of eggs or sperm
  • Gender-affirming care such as hormone therapy and surgery for transgender individuals
  • Guide dog or another service animal for a person with low vision or hearing
  • Health, dental and vision insurance premiums
  • Hearing aids
  • Home improvements if their main purpose is medical care
  • Hospital services while receiving medical care
  • Household help for nursing care services
  • Laboratory fees
  • Lead-based paint removal when a child is diagnosed with lead poisoning
  • Legal fees paid to authorize treatment for mental illness
  • Lodging expenses while away from home to receive medical care in a hospital or medical facility
  • Long-term care insurance and long-term care expenses
  • Mattresses and boards bought specifically to alleviate an arthritic condition
  • Medical conference admission costs and travel expenses for a person with a chronic illness to learn about new medical treatments
  • Nursing care and nursing home expenses
  • Operations (excluding cosmetic surgery)
  • Organ transplants
  • Oxygen and oxygen equipment to relieve breathing problems
  • Physical exams and diagnostic tests
  • Pregnancy test kits
  • Prescription drugs
  • Prosthetic limbs
  • Psychiatric care
  • Smoking cessation programs
  • Special education
  • Sterilization or vasectomy
  • Telephone and special equipment for a person who is hearing impaired
  • Travel and transportation costs for obtaining medical care
  • Weight loss programs to treat a specific disease diagnosed by a physician
  • Wheelchairs
  • X-rays for medical reasons