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Deductible medical expenses you can't afford to overlook

When you have health problems, medical expenses can quickly add up, even if you have health insurance. That is why it's important to understand the rules for deducting qualified medical and dental expenses.

According to the Maryland Association of CPAs, if you itemize your deductions, you may be eligible to deduct unreimbursed medical, dental and vision care expenses for yourself, your spouse and your dependents.

Plan to maximize deductions

Obtaining the tax deductions you deserve requires careful planning. For example, you may deduct as an itemized deduction qualified medical expenses that exceed 7.5 percent of your adjusted gross income (AGI). That means if your AGI is $50,000, you can deduct only those unreimbursed expenses that exceed $3,750. To maximize your deduction, you may want to try "bunching." When you bunch your deductions, you try to aggregate all the deductions you can into one year.

In a year when your medical expenses are high and you think you may exceed the 7.5 percent requirement, you may want to book other necessary medical procedures or make qualified medical-related purchases in the same year so that you can qualify for a deduction. For example, if your son requires orthodontia treatment or you need a new pair of prescription glasses, accelerating those medical needs into the current year may make them deductible.

Alternatively, if you don't expect to reach the 7.5 percent floor in the current year, you may want to defer non-essential medical treatment into next year when you may qualify for the deduction.

What's deductible and what's not

According to the IRS, a deduction is allowed for expenses paid for the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment or prevention of disease, or treatment affecting any structure or function of the body. Generally, you can deduct the cost of fees paid to doctors, dentists, surgeons, chiropractors, psychiatrists, and psychologists, as well as payments for hospital services, qualified long-term care, nursing care, laboratory, and X-ray fees.

Other deductible expenses include prescription drugs, contact lenses, prescription glasses, laser eye surgery to improve vision, hearing aids, and wheelchairs and walkers. If you are self-employed, you may deduct, as an adjustment to gross income, the full cost paid for medical insurance for you, your spouse, and your dependents. See IRS Publication 502, Medical and Dental Expenses, for a complete list of deductible expenses.

The cost of transportation to and from essential medical care may also be deductible. If you do not want to use your actual expenses, you can use specific rates set by the IRS. During the first eight months of 2005, the standard mileage rate for miles driven for medical purposes was 15 cents per mile. For the last four months of 2005, the standard mileage rate was 22 cents per mile. For 2006, the standard mileage rate will be 18 cents per mile. With either method, tolls and parking fees are deductible.

Non-deductible expenses include the cost of over-the-counter medications, vitamins, or nutritional supplements, fees paid for health club dues and social activities such as dancing or swimming lessons. In addition, taxpayers interested in a hair transplant, teeth whitening or cosmetic surgery should not plan on deducting the cost.

Medically necessary home improvements

The IRS allows you to include as a medical expense the cost of home improvements or special equipment considered medically necessary for you, your spouse, or your dependent. Examples of deductible expenses include constructing special entrance / exit ramps to your house, widening doorways, modifying kitchens or bathrooms, or adding a chairlift for the physically disabled. These structural improvements to accommodate the condition of a physically handicapped person generally do not add to the value of your home and are fully deductible.

If the improvement increases the value of your home, only the amount of the expense that exceeds the increase in the property value of your home is deductible. When the value of your property is not increased by the improvement, the entire cost may be included as a medical expense.

Professional advice can help

Many people aren't aware of the many medical and dental expenses that are deductible. A CPA can help you determine if you qualify.

Only CPAs are equipped to address your full range of financial needs with integrity and insight. In Maryland, CPAs must pass a rigorous two-day examination, adhere to strict ethical and professional standards, and, beyond college, complete 80 hours of continuing education every two years to be certified by the state — accountants do not.

Your doctor is certified; your lawyer is certified. Make sure your accountant is a certified public accountant.

For CPA referrals in your area, contact the MACPA at (410) 296-6250 or click here.

The Maryland Association of Certified Public Accountants (MACPA) is a statewide professional association that provides leadership, information and services for its nearly 10,000 CPA members, who are employed in private practice, industry, government and education. CPAs are business and financial professionals who have passed a rigorous two-day examination in order to be licensed by the state. CPAs are committed to protecting the public interest, and must adhere to stringent ethical and professional standards and continuing professional education requirements.