Navigating Medical and Dental Expense Deductions: A Taxpayer’s Guide

In tax deductions, medical and dental expenses are among the most significant yet underutilized opportunities for taxpayers to reduce their taxable income. Given the rising healthcare costs, understanding how to deduct medical and dental expenses effectively can lead to substantial tax savings. This article demystifies claiming these deductions, highlighting key considerations and strategies to maximize taxpayers' potential benefits.

Understanding Medical and Dental Expense Deductions

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) allows taxpayers to deduct unreimbursed medical and dental expenses that exceed a certain percentage of their adjusted gross income (AGI). These expenses can include payments for the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease and treatments affecting any part or function of the body. It encompasses various costs, from insurance premiums to surgeries, prescription medications, and non-traditional therapies.

Qualifying Expenses

To qualify for deductions, expenses must primarily alleviate or prevent a physical or mental defect or illness. Some examples of deductible expenses include:

• Payments to doctors, dentists, surgeons, chiropractors, psychiatrists, psychologists, and non-traditional medical practitioners.
• Insurance premiums are are paid for policies that cover medical care or a…