Medical expenses are only entered on a Schedule A as an itemized deduction.
Health care insurance premiums and other medical expenses that you paid with out of pocket funds are an eligible medical expense that you can deduct using Schedule A for itemized deductions. However, only your total medical expenses that are greater than 7.5% of your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) can be deducted (2018). 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 Go to medical expenses, sch a
