Can I deduct vitamins under medical deductions?

[MargaretL · Accepted solution]

Yes, you can deduct vitamins if they are specifically recommended by your doctor as treatment for your medical condition.  If you take them to maintain your general health - they are not deductible.

Per IRS: "You can't include in medical expenses the cost of nutritional supplements, vitamins, herbal supplements, “natural medicines,” etc. unless they are recommended by a medical practitioner as treatment for a specific medical condition diagnosed by a physician. These items are taken to maintain your ordinary good health and aren't for medical care.

For a list of all deductible medical expenses, please click here.

[cali]

Where would I report these in TurboTax? Is there a cap on it?

[light46]

Where would I report these in Turbo Tax for 2018 tax year?

[cellarbelow]

Does this include supplement prescribed by a naturopath? (for a condition diagnosed by a physician). 

[IsabellaG]

I would say that unless the naturopath is a licensed medical professional who is legally permitted to recommend treatment, you should probably have your doctor recommend the vitamins if you wish to support your deduction. It's unlikely that the IRS would consider the naturopath to be a "medical practitioner" without the appropriate license.

[Momof4g3b]

My son was diagnosed ODD by one counselor and with anxiety and depression by his new counselor, who recommended we could try herbal over the counter supplements before she spoke to her colleague about prescription medication. The herbal supplements are helping control his ODD outbursts. Even though no formal "prescription" is written, can they still be claimed?

[MinhT1]

Nonprescription supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter medications, toothpaste, health club memberships, and medical marijuana (even if it's legal in your state) are not deductible as Medical expenses.

Please read this TurboTax Help topic for more information.

@Momof4g3b

[rebecca7]

Do intravenous treatments, such as ozone therapy or amino acid/vitamin/etc. IV bags, qualify as a "medical expense?"  they were proscribed by a licensed N.D. in California.

[GiseleD]

The cost of prescribed medicines is deductible. Nonprescription drugs and medicines are not deductible.

Imported drugs: Imported prescription drugs can be deducted only if imported legally. The cost of prescribed drugs purchased and consumed in another country are deductible only if the drug is legal in both the other country and the United States.

I'm not familiar with a ND. Did you mean to say MD (medical doctor)? 

Learn more here.

@rebecca7

[randy2]

Where in the tax code are you finding your answer to this question? My understanding is that if the "medicine" can be purchased without a prescription, it is not deductible.

[randy2]

I think your answer would be clearer if you said "unless a prescription is REQUIRED to purchase the drug, medication, supplement, vitamin, etc." it is NOT deductible. IRC 213 (d) (3)

[DaveF1006]

Please review this link published by turbo Tax. You can also read this on page 16 in the following IRS link under Nutritional Supplements.