03/30/2026
Let's start with the official IRS rule: you can claim qualifying medical expenses only if you itemize your deductions on Schedule A, and even then, you can only deduct the unreimbursed amount that exceeds 7.5% of your AGI.
A little confusing?
Let's break down each part of that rule! ↓
Right off the bat, if you take the standard deduction, you can keep scrolling! Deducting medical expenses on Schedule A isn't for you.
Okay, now let's talk qualifying medical expenses: per the IRS, they are "the costs of diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease, and for the purpose of affecting any part or function of the body."
Think expenses like doctor visits, dentist appointments, hospital services, and prescription meds!
This is key: only unreimbursed expenses are deductible here.
So, if a portion of an otherwise qualifying medical expense is covered by your insurance, you can't deduct that portion.
And then the final tricky part, you can only deduct the amount of total qualifying expenses that are OVER 7.5% of your adjusted gross income.
Yes, that's a calculation I can definitely do for you! 🔢
