The Internal Revenue Service can be your best friend when you are wanting information about what health/medical/dental expenses you can and cannot deduct from your income when you file your tax forms. You can access information by visiting their website at www.irs.gov. Once you are on that site, you want to go to Publication 502. Every medical deduction you can take is listed there.

If you do not have access to a computer or you have additional questions you can contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. Or you can visit one of their local Taxpayer Assistance Centers. You can find one close to you by looking in your phone book's blue [government] pages under United States Government, Internal Revenue Service.

WHAT ARE MEDICAL EXPENSES?
The IRS defines medical expenses as the costs of diagnosing, treating, curing or preventing disease. It is also the costs of treatment that affects any part or functioning of the body. These costs include equipment, supplies, diagnostic devices and dental treatment.

Expenses must be to ameliorate or prevent "physical or mental defect or illness." Medical expenses do NOT include things like vitamins, other health supplements and vacations, even if your doctor says "it would be good for you."

If you have to pay your medical insurance premiums yourself the cost of those premiums is deductible. The costs of long term care are deductible as is the cost of transportation to obtain medical care. The current mileage rate, if you drive your own car is $.18 per mile. But, check the IRS web site after 1-1-2008 for possibly updated information.

HOW MUCH OF THE EXPENSES CAN YOU DEDUCT?
You can only deduct that part of your expenses that is more than 7.5% than your adjusted gross income [AGI]. So if your AGI is $60,000; you can deduct that part of your medical expenses greater than $4500. If you're paying for your own medical insurance, like I am, it's easy to reach that 7.5% mark.

WHOSE MEDICAL EXPENSES CAN YOU DEDUCT?
You can deduct you own expenses and those of your spouse. You must have been married at the time your spouse incurred the expenses or when you paid the bill. You may also pay the expenses of a dependent, if they were a U.S. Citizen and a qualifying child or dependent. IRS publication 502 has the definitions of qualifying child and dependent. In some cases the costs of an adoption are deductible.

You may even be able to deduct the expenses of a deceased qualifying relative. Again, please see Publication

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