Susan's Place Transgender Resources

I'm doing my taxes  :icon_blah: :icon_zombie:

so I start collecting the amounts I spent on medical that weren't covered by my health insurance, i.e., medical costs directly attributable to transition.

HOLY  :icon_yikes:!

So I got to looking at other expenses that are directly attributable to transition.  Electrolysis is a huge chunk-of-change I'd like to throw into the medical deduction pot, along with gender-appropriate clothing.

I realize the clothing is iffy-maybe, but I think there is a chance that electro might be an allowable expense.

I want to maximise my deductions, but I don't want to get hit with a judgement that goes against me AND THEN slaps punitive charges on top.  That would DEFINITELY upset my transition timetable. 

Does anybody KNOW what transition expenses can and can't be deducted? 

Karen

Taken from a tax attorney's web site (http://www.taxesq.com/taxinfo/MedicalExpenseDeductions.html): "There are also many exceptions to the general laws. For instance, you can't write off the cost of unnecessary cosmetic surgery to improve your appearance. That generally means no face lifts, electrolysis or liposuction. But you can deduct cosmetic surgery that's needed to improve a deformity directly related to a congenital abnormality, an injury from an accident, or a disfiguring disease."

However if you can get a physician to say it was a medical necessity you may be able to write it off.  I haven't done my taxes yet but I'll certainly bring it up to my tax guy.

Julie

From IRS 502:
Generally, you cannot include in medical expenses the amount you pay for unnecessary cosmetic surgery. This includes any procedure that is directed at improving the patient's appearance and does not meaningfully promote the proper function of the body or prevent or treat illness or disease. You generally cannot include in medical expenses the amount you pay for procedures such as face lifts, hair transplants, hair removal (electrolysis), and liposuction.

You can include in medical expenses the amount you pay for cosmetic surgery if it is necessary to improve a deformity arising from, or directly related to, a congenital abnormality, a personal injury resulting from an accident or trauma, or a disfiguring disease.

Example. An individual undergoes surgery that removes a breast as part of treatment for cancer. She pays a surgeon to reconstruct the breast. The surgery to reconstruct the breast corrects a deformity directly related to the disease. The cost of the surgery is includible in her medical expenses.

Hi Karen;

Something else you may be able to use is travel (mileage - meals - car rental) if you had to travel a certain distance to get the medical attention.  Here is Canada the majic number is 44 kilometers.  I am sure the US would also have something similar built into there system.

(my experience with H&R block).

Gill

Karen,
  You can deduct the mileage to and from a doctors appointment. Just like Julie said above, there is no deduction for electrolysis unless a doctor ordered it. Don't forget that in medical bills it is 2.5% of your AGI anything over that then you can deduct. 2.5% might be wrong, but it is around that figure if not the figure. You might be able to take off your meds, but I would be careful on that one. I deducted my surgery as I do have a doctors note saying that the surgery was needed.
Sheila

Yup... get a doctor's note for the IRS teacher.  Get one this year for next year's taxes....  Or, perhaps, your doc can predate one.  A psychiatrist is a doctor, BTW.

Cindi