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 10% of your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) can be deducted if you are under age 65. If you are age 65 or older the AGI limit is 7.5%. 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 2016
- Single - $6,300 add $1,550 if age 65 or older
- Married Filing Separately - $6,300 add $1,250 if age 65 or older
- Married Filing Jointly - $12,600 add $1,250 for each spouse age 65 or older
- Head of Household - $9,300 add $1,550 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
