The tax code has suspended legal expenses as a Miscellaneous itemized deduction on Schedule A for tax years 2018 through 2025.
Cobra health care premiums paid with out of pocket funds are entered on Schedule A as an itemized medical expense.
However, only your total medical expenses that are greater than 7.5% of your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) can be deducted. Your total itemized deductions reported on Form 1040 Schedule A must be greater than the standard deduction for your filing status to have any tax benefit.
Standard deductions for 2018
- Single - $12,000 add $1,600 if age 65 or older
- Married Filing Separately - $12,000 add $1,300 if age 65 or older
- Married Filing Jointly - $24,000 add $1,300 for each spouse age 65 or older
- Head of Household - $18,000 add $1,600 if age 65 or older
To enter your medical expenses -
- Click on Federal Taxes (Personal using Home and Business)
- Click on Deductions and Credits
- Click on I'll choose what I work on (if shown)
- Scroll down to Medical
- On Medical Expenses, click the start or update button
Or enter medical expenses, sch a in the Search box located in the upper right of the program screen. Click on Jump to medical expenses, sch a
