Medical deduction- vitamins, massage, gym

#4 12-11-2004, 01:03 AM

Gary Goodman <XgaryXg7X[at]yahoo.com> wrote:
- quote -

> ronnirubin[at]sprintmail.com says...
> > jo wrote:

> > > I have been on disabilty for chronic pain from spine
> > > problems since about 1988. It was always my understanding
> > > that you could not deduct the cost of the above items under
> > > medical costs, until recently, when a local TV program was
> > > discussing tax preparation and vitamins specifically came
> > > up. The "expert" said that if they were related to a
> > > specific medical problem, they could be deducted (but one
> > > should get a doctor's note).

> > Vitamins, no. The law specifically states that a drug
> > must require a prescription or be insulin to be deductible.
> > > The others, quite probably. From publication 502:
> > > "Medical care means amounts paid for the diagnosis, cure,
> > mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease, and for
> > treatments affecting any part or function of the body. The
> > medical care expenses must be primarily to alleviate or
> > prevent a physical or mental defect or illness."
> > > But, see also, from that same publication, under
> > What Expenses are Not Deductible -- Health Club Dues:
> > > "You cannot include in medical expenses health club dues,
> > YMCA dues, or amounts paid for steam baths for your
> > general health or to relieve physical or mental discomfort
> > not related to a particular medical condition."
> > > This implies that you CAN deduct such dues if they
> > are to relieve physical (or mental) discomfort that
> > IS related to a particular medical condition. I've
> > been advised to get a doctor's certification that the
> > exercises ARE are related to a specific medical condition
> > at least annually, but I don't know if it's necessary.
> > > Just bundle it with your other medical expenses on
> > form 1040 Schedule A line 1, but keep adequate records.

> A couple of years ago, when I was first told that back
> surgery was likely, I had hit the limit on my medical
> insurance for physical therapy. I signed up for sessions
> with a personal trainer at my gym. My instructions to the
> trainer were to increase abdominal muscle strength and to
> increase flexibility of my back.
> When I calculated my deductions for that year, I included
> the trainer, but not my gym membership. Unfortunately, all I
> was able to do was to delay the surgery. Not everything was
> lost, I was able to delay the operation until I had a new
> job with better medical insurance.
> Would I win in an audit? I don't know, but I feel
> comfortable enough to defend my position vigorously.
> Gary

I also had back surgery and the pain wasn't relieved and has
migrated to my neck. I also am borderline for osteoporosis
and must take 1500 mg of Calcium a day, along with
proportionate amounts of magnesium, D, and potassium, in
addition to getting weight bearing exercise-- when I can
tolerate it. I poked around somewhere recently and I
believe it said that if the vitamins were specifically
prescribed for a particular condition they were deductible,
but I know the way the rules are written certainly don't
make it seem so. I think I'm going to give the IRS a call
and see how many different people can give me the same
answers<g> . The amount of vitamins I take are not just for
general health maintenance, and I wouldn't be in a gym if it
weren't for my health problems, but I know it's a tricky
area.

jo

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#3 12-11-2004, 12:05 AM

David Woods, EA, ChFC, CLU wrote:
- quote -

> "Gary Goodman" <XgaryXg7X[at]yahoo.com> wrote:
> > ronnirubin[at]sprintmail.com says...
> > > jo wrote:

> > > > I have been on disabilty for chronic pain from spine
> > > > problems since about 1988. It was always my understanding
> > > > that you could not deduct the cost of the above items under
> > > > medical costs, until recently, when a local TV program was
> > > > discussing tax preparation and vitamins specifically came
> > > > up. The "expert" said that if they were related to a
> > > > specific medical problem, they could be deducted (but one
> > > > should get a doctor's note).

> > > Vitamins, no. The law specifically states that a drug
> > > must require a prescription or be insulin to be deductible.
> > > > > The others, quite probably. From publication 502:
> > > > > "Medical care means amounts paid for the diagnosis, cure,
> > > mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease, and for
> > > treatments affecting any part or function of the body. The
> > > medical care expenses must be primarily to alleviate or
> > > prevent a physical or mental defect or illness."
> > > > > But, see also, from that same publication, under
> > > What Expenses are Not Deductible -- Health Club Dues:
> > > > > "You cannot include in medical expenses health club dues,
> > > YMCA dues, or amounts paid for steam baths for your
> > > general health or to relieve physical or mental discomfort
> > > not related to a particular medical condition."
> > > > > This implies that you CAN deduct such dues if they
> > > are to relieve physical (or mental) discomfort that
> > > IS related to a particular medical condition. I've
> > > been advised to get a doctor's certification that the
> > > exercises ARE are related to a specific medical condition
> > > at least annually, but I don't know if it's necessary.
> > > > > Just bundle it with your other medical expenses on
> > > form 1040 Schedule A line 1, but keep adequate records.

> > A couple of years ago, when I was first told that back
> > surgery was likely, I had hit the limit on my medical
> > insurance for physical therapy. I signed up for sessions
> > with a personal trainer at my gym. My instructions to the
> > trainer were to increase abdominal muscle strength and to
> > increase flexibility of my back.
> > > When I calculated my deductions for that year, I included
> > the trainer, but not my gym membership. Unfortunately, all I
> > was able to do was to delay the surgery. Not everything was
> > lost, I was able to delay the operation until I had a new
> > job with better medical insurance.
> > > Would I win in an audit? I don't know, but I feel
> > comfortable enough to defend my position vigorously.

> I doubt it. You didn't do anything with the trainer that
> you couldn't do WITHOUT the trainer, nor is the service they
> provided in the realm of medical care.

But there is some overlap between services provided by a
physical therapist and exercise directions provided by a
physical therapist. Advice from a fellow long term back
sufferer, look into the Canadian Air Force Exercises.

--
Frederick E. Jorden http://Tax-Accounting-Payroll.com
7825 Midlothian Tpk - 207 Richmond, VA 23235-5247
EMAIL knowtax[at]bigfoot.com
(804) 320-6210 FAX (804) 320-6211

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#2 12-06-2004, 07:31 AM

"Gary Goodman" <XgaryXg7X[at]yahoo.com> wrote:
- quote -

> ronnirubin[at]sprintmail.com says...
> > jo wrote:

> > > I have been on disabilty for chronic pain from spine
> > > problems since about 1988. It was always my understanding
> > > that you could not deduct the cost of the above items under
> > > medical costs, until recently, when a local TV program was
> > > discussing tax preparation and vitamins specifically came
> > > up. The "expert" said that if they were related to a
> > > specific medical problem, they could be deducted (but one
> > > should get a doctor's note).

> > Vitamins, no. The law specifically states that a drug
> > must require a prescription or be insulin to be deductible.
> > > The others, quite probably. From publication 502:
> > > "Medical care means amounts paid for the diagnosis, cure,
> > mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease, and for
> > treatments affecting any part or function of the body. The
> > medical care expenses must be primarily to alleviate or
> > prevent a physical or mental defect or illness."
> > > But, see also, from that same publication, under
> > What Expenses are Not Deductible -- Health Club Dues:
> > > "You cannot include in medical expenses health club dues,
> > YMCA dues, or amounts paid for steam baths for your
> > general health or to relieve physical or mental discomfort
> > not related to a particular medical condition."
> > > This implies that you CAN deduct such dues if they
> > are to relieve physical (or mental) discomfort that
> > IS related to a particular medical condition. I've
> > been advised to get a doctor's certification that the
> > exercises ARE are related to a specific medical condition
> > at least annually, but I don't know if it's necessary.
> > > Just bundle it with your other medical expenses on
> > form 1040 Schedule A line 1, but keep adequate records.

> A couple of years ago, when I was first told that back
> surgery was likely, I had hit the limit on my medical
> insurance for physical therapy. I signed up for sessions
> with a personal trainer at my gym. My instructions to the
> trainer were to increase abdominal muscle strength and to
> increase flexibility of my back.
> When I calculated my deductions for that year, I included
> the trainer, but not my gym membership. Unfortunately, all I
> was able to do was to delay the surgery. Not everything was
> lost, I was able to delay the operation until I had a new
> job with better medical insurance.
> Would I win in an audit? I don't know, but I feel
> comfortable enough to defend my position vigorously.

I doubt it. You didn't do anything with the trainer that
you couldn't do WITHOUT the trainer, nor is the service they
provided in the realm of medical care.

--
David M. Woods, EA, ChFC, CLU
Woods Financial Services
Norwood, MA 02062
www.woods-financial.com

<< -------------------------------------------------> << The Charter and the Guidelines for submitting > << messages to this newsgroup are at www.asktax.org > << ------------------------------------------------->

#1 12-05-2004, 04:41 AM

ronnirubin[at]sprintmail.com says...
- quote -

> jo wrote:

> > I have been on disabilty for chronic pain from spine
> > problems since about 1988. It was always my understanding
> > that you could not deduct the cost of the above items under
> > medical costs, until recently, when a local TV program was
> > discussing tax preparation and vitamins specifically came
> > up. The "expert" said that if they were related to a
> > specific medical problem, they could be deducted (but one
> > should get a doctor's note).

> Vitamins, no. The law specifically states that a drug
> must require a prescription or be insulin to be deductible.
> The others, quite probably. From publication 502:
> "Medical care means amounts paid for the diagnosis, cure,
> mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease, and for
> treatments affecting any part or function of the body. The
> medical care expenses must be primarily to alleviate or
> prevent a physical or mental defect or illness."
> But, see also, from that same publication, under
> What Expenses are Not Deductible -- Health Club Dues:
> "You cannot include in medical expenses health club dues,
> YMCA dues, or amounts paid for steam baths for your
> general health or to relieve physical or mental discomfort
> not related to a particular medical condition."
> This implies that you CAN deduct such dues if they
> are to relieve physical (or mental) discomfort that
> IS related to a particular medical condition. I've
> been advised to get a doctor's certification that the
> exercises ARE are related to a specific medical condition
> at least annually, but I don't know if it's necessary.
> Just bundle it with your other medical expenses on
> form 1040 Schedule A line 1, but keep adequate records.

A couple of years ago, when I was first told that back
surgery was likely, I had hit the limit on my medical
insurance for physical therapy. I signed up for sessions
with a personal trainer at my gym. My instructions to the
trainer were to increase abdominal muscle strength and to
increase flexibility of my back.

When I calculated my deductions for that year, I included
the trainer, but not my gym membership. Unfortunately, all I
was able to do was to delay the surgery. Not everything was
lost, I was able to delay the operation until I had a new
job with better medical insurance.

Would I win in an audit? I don't know, but I feel
comfortable enough to defend my position vigorously.

Gary

--
You can probably X figure out X which letters to X delete to derive my
email address X.

<< -------------------------------------------------> << The Charter and the Guidelines for submitting > << messages to this newsgroup are at www.asktax.org > << ------------------------------------------------->

12-03-2004, 03:35 PM

jo wrote:

- quote -

> I have been on disabilty for chronic pain from spine
> problems since about 1988. It was always my understanding
> that you could not deduct the cost of the above items under
> medical costs, until recently, when a local TV program was
> discussing tax preparation and vitamins specifically came
> up. The "expert" said that if they were related to a
> specific medical problem, they could be deducted (but one
> should get a doctor's note).

Vitamins, no. The law specifically states that a drug
must require a prescription or be insulin to be deductible.

The others, quite probably. From publication 502:

"Medical care means amounts paid for the diagnosis, cure,
mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease, and for
treatments affecting any part or function of the body. The
medical care expenses must be primarily to alleviate or
prevent a physical or mental defect or illness."

But, see also, from that same publication, under
What Expenses are Not Deductible -- Health Club Dues:

"You cannot include in medical expenses health club dues,
YMCA dues, or amounts paid for steam baths for your
general health or to relieve physical or mental discomfort
not related to a particular medical condition."

This implies that you CAN deduct such dues if they
are to relieve physical (or mental) discomfort that
IS related to a particular medical condition. I've
been advised to get a doctor's certification that the
exercises ARE are related to a specific medical condition
at least annually, but I don't know if it's necessary.

Just bundle it with your other medical expenses on
form 1040 Schedule A line 1, but keep adequate records.

<< -------------------------------------------------> << The Charter and the Guidelines for submitting > << messages to this newsgroup are at www.asktax.org > << ------------------------------------------------->

#-1 11-29-2004, 04:50 PM

I have been on disabilty for chronic pain from spine
problems since about 1988. It was always my understanding
that you could not deduct the cost of the above items under
medical costs, until recently, when a local TV program was
discussing tax preparation and vitamins specifically came
up. The "expert" said that if they were related to a
specific medical problem, they could be deducted (but one
should get a doctor's note). I have been told to take high
doses of a specially formulated, (but still available over
the counter), calcium supplement by my gynecologist because
I am on the borderline for osteoporosis, which would likely
be disastrous since I've had back surgery and have metal
screws in my back. I am also supposed to get as much
exercise as I can tolerate, both for osteoporosis control
and to strength all my muscles to help with pain and enable
me to remain independent. The massage treatments are for
pain control and muscle spasms, also related to the spine
problems.

Can I legitimately deduct these costs, and if so, do I need
to itemize them and attach a doctor's note with my tax form
now, or, as I have done with other medical expenses in the
past, can I just bucket them as "Other" and only bother with
getting the documentation if ever questioned by the IRS?
(All of my doctors have agreed to write anything I need).

jo

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