US Income Tax- Deduct Diet Expenses!

[Terranova]

It's tax time in the US. Check out the article below (if you weren't already aware). You can even deduct the cost of having a pool installed in your yard!

http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/cs/healthissues/a/deduct.htm

Excerpt:
"Weight Loss Now Tax Deductible
From Larrian Gillespie

It's the Obesity Deduction
Weight loss is now tax deductible, thanks to the government declaring obesity a disease. That's right! The IRS has issued an allowance for treating obesity if your doctor recommends whatever therapy you chose.

"

[Moonwalker]

oh that is awesome

[JL53563]

Damn, just my luck. I'm not obese any more!!! LOL

[GinaLeanne]

Does that mean I can save all my grocery receipts??? :D

[cc48510]

if your doctor recommends whatever therapy you chose.

That's the key phrase, though. My last primary doctor was pretty good about that. He was cool with me going on Atkins. But, my insurance changed doctors, so now they have me under a new primary doctor whose first words on Diet are "Low Fat, Low Cholesterol." But, at least this one despite pushing LF/HC, isn't trying to scare me off Atkins (yet.)

They did that to my mom. The statin makers lowered the "acceptable" LDL levels [so as that her LDL is now considered too high - which it wasn't before] and her Doctor convinced her to eat Low-Fat, Low Saturated Fat, Low Cholesterol, that she should drink OJ, etc...For all that she regained 60% of [the weight] what she'd lost by cutting back on Carbs and her numbers haven't "improved." Now, I'm trying to convince her not to let them put her on Statins [to bring her down to the new "acceptable" levels.]

[GeoUSA]

In the US, unfortunately medical costs must be a significant percentage of your income before they become deductible. A few years ago, I had to pay a significant portion of my medical insurance. Reviewing my spending at tax time revealed I was several hundred dollars short of receiving a deduction. Those already taking the standard deduction would likely find it even more difficult to utilize... :(

[vandi68]

That's the key phrase, though. My last primary doctor was pretty good about that. He was cool with me going on Atkins. But, my insurance changed doctors, so now they have me under a new primary doctor whose first words on Diet are "Low Fat, Low Cholesterol." But, at least this one despite pushing LF/HC, isn't trying to scare me off Atkins (yet.)

They did that to my mom. The statin makers lowered the "acceptable" LDL levels [so as that her LDL is now considered too high - which it wasn't before] and her Doctor convinced her to eat Low-Fat, Low Saturated Fat, Low Cholesterol, that she should drink OJ, etc...For all that she regained 60% of [the weight] what she'd lost by cutting back on Carbs and her numbers haven't "improved." Now, I'm trying to convince her not to let them put her on Statins [to bring her down to the new "acceptable" levels.]

Just a note to let you know that when my doctor put me on statins, I can't remember which one right now my cholesteral went from 230 to 315! with the low fat diet too. Now with lcing I am back down to 220 and hopefully even better with my next checkup.

[Terranova]

In the US, unfortunately medical costs must be a significant percentage of your income before they become deductible. A few years ago, I had to pay a significant portion of my medical insurance. Reviewing my spending at tax time revealed I was several hundred dollars short of receiving a deduction. Those already taking the standard deduction would likely find it even more difficult to utilize... :(

That's true, however, many families spend more on medical expenses than they might realize. Be sure to tally-up and claim any contributions paid for family health insurance. Many times the employer will pay for the worker's portion , but the employee pays for additional dependants. Also be sure to keep receipts for all co-pay DR visits- those count. If you have joined a health spa which is DR recommended, that's $600 or so a year. And of course all perscriptions and misc. items (dressings for wounds, etc). Dental expenses count, too. It can all add up.

It could be a nice break for folks who can get a doctor to recommend body sculpting after a large weight loss. Usually this kind of surgery isn't covered by insurance so many people pay for it themselves. . Now these expensive procedures could be tax 'deductible'.

If obesity is a disease, with the successfull treatment of obesity (weight loss), correcting the disfigurement caused by stretched skin should be part of the recovery process-- don't ya think? lol I do! I bet I could find a DR to agree, lol.

=)

Cheers!

[ladygolden]

The good docs at 90210 certainly would! :lol: