Can vitamins and/or supplements prescribed by my doctor be deducted?

[lilly0711]

I have vitamins and supplements that were prescribed by two of my doctors.  Do I need to itemize each individual vitamin and supplement and the amount spent on each one or can I group them all together as one line item?

[TomK · 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.

You can total and enter them as one number.  Just be sure to keep all your receipts and proof of prescriptions with your tax records in case the IRS asks for proof.

[noodad]

For clarification, @TomK is likely referring to IRS Publication 502 (https://www.irs.gov/publications/p502)