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Tax Deductions
# Health Care and Medical Expense Tax Deductions for Seniors
Many medical expenses are tax-deductible for seniors, such as hospital services, medical service fees, Medicare premiums, and more.
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## Can Seniors Deduct Medical Expenses on Their Taxes?
As we reach our golden years, our health and medical needs often expand. Many older adults are facing costly out-of-pocket expenses that can throw off even the best retirement budget. Taxes can certainly be a stressful event (no matter how long you’ve been filing)!
This article will cover the essential facts on what medical expenses you can deduct, which expenses are off-limits, and the difference between itemized and standard deductions so you can .
## How Much Can I Deduct on My Taxes for Medical Expenses?
Taking care of your health is an investment in your future. However, out-of-pocket medical costs are a significant expense for older adults, especially for those who have . The good news is you can claim some of these expenses on your taxes. The key? They must be itemized and exceed 7.5 percent of your adjusted gross income. So, what exactly are itemized deductions? Itemized deductions include amounts paid for medical and dental expenses, state and local taxes, charitable contributions, property taxes, and mortgage interest.
## How Is the 7.5 Percent of Adjusted Gross Income Calculated?
According to the IRS, you can deduct only the part of your medical and dental expenses that exceeds 7.5 percent of the amount of your adjusted gross income.1 These expenses must be itemized.
Let’s look at an example. If your adjusted gross income (AGI) for the 2022 tax year was $50,000, you’d need *more* than $3,750 ($50,000 x 7.5%) in itemized medical expenses.
A costly year of medical expenses such as , surgery, , and a hospital stay can add up quickly. For instance, if your out-of-pocket medical expenses totaled $35,000, you would claim $31,250 ($35,000 – $3,750) in itemized medical expenses in the example AGI above.
Pro Tip:
**Pro Tip:** Make tax season easier by staying organized throughout the year. File your medical and dental receipts in a collapsible file folder for easy access when you prepare your return.
However, if your out-of-pocket medical expenses have been minimal, a better option may be to take the IRS standard deduction. The standard deduction does not require any itemization. A good accountant or tax software package could help you determine whether itemizing is right for you.
We spoke with Alison Flores, principal tax research analyst at H&R Block, about deducting medical expenses. To make tracking your deductible medical expenses easier, Flores recommends that you “save all your receipts in a folder or designated spot so they are all together. Don’t wait for the end of the year to try and pull everything together.” Staying organized means you’ll have one less thing to worry about when tax season rolls around!
## What Is the IRS Standard Deduction?
| Filing status | 2023 standard deduction | 2023 standard deduction 65 or over | 2024 standard deduction | 2024 standard deduction 65 or over |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Single/Married Filing Separately | $13,850 | $15,700 | $14,600 | $16,550 |
| Head of Household | $20,800 | $22,650 | $21,900 | $23, 450 |
| Married Filing Jointly | $27,700 | $29,200 | $29,200 | $30,750 |
*Data for this chart comes from  , ,  and *
Did You Know?
**Did You Know?** There are several tax credits and deductions available to seniors specifically. To learn more, head to our guide to .
## What Medical Expenses Are Tax-Deductible?
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Unreimbursed medical expenses can undoubtedly leave your wallet feeling light. After adding up all of your medical expenditures, you’ll have a clearer sense of which option, itemized deduction or standard deduction, will work best for your needs.
#### Medical expenses that are tax-deductible include:
* Items such as false teeth, eyeglasses, hearing aids, artificial limbs, and wheelchairs
* Hospital service fees such as lab work, therapy, nursing services, and surgery
* Medical services fees from doctors, dentists, surgeons, and specialists
* Medicare Part A premium (if you aren't covered under  or weren't a government employee who paid Medicare tax)
*  and  premiums
*  care (including meal and lodging costs), if the primary reason for residence is to receive medical care
* Oxygen and oxygen equipment
* Prescription drugs and insulin
* Qualified  services
*  and car expenses related to travel to and from medical care
**Pro Tip:** Double-check the  to ensure you’re not leaving out unclaimed expenditures.
Alison Flores from H&R Block points out that part of your hospital bill might be deductible if you “were hospitalized for treatment related to COVID-19.” She recommends checking your insurance policy to find out exactly what is covered by your provider and what is not; you’ll only be able to deduct the expenses that weren’t covered by your insurance provider.
### The Timeline for Tax-Deductible Medical Expenses
When tracking your deductible medical expenses, it’s important to know which costs apply to the current tax year. Flores points out that “generally, medical expenses are deductible in the year the provider is paid, regardless of when the services were provided.” That means you’ll want to pay close attention to the dates of your payments rather than the dates of your medical appointments. “If you have a payment plan with the provider,” said Flores, “you will deduct actual payments made during the year, and you might deduct expenses related to one event over two or more tax years. If you pay for medical treatment using a credit card, you deduct the expenses in the year you paid the provider with the credit card, not as you pay your credit card bill.”
Reminder:
**Reminder:** Your taxes can impact your retirement plan and budget. If you’re in the process of getting your finances in order for retirement, head over to our guide on .
## What Medical Expenses Are Not Tax-Deductible?
Unfortunately, not all medical expenses are tax-deductible. Before you tally up your itemized costs, do not include uncovered items such as these:
* Health club fees
* Funeral, burial, or cremation expenses
* Nonprescription medicine (except for insulin)
* Health savings account payments for medical expenses
* Insurance policies supplying payment for loss of life, limb, or sight
* Life insurance or income protection policies
* Pretaxed flexible spending account reimbursements for medical expenses
* Social exercises, such as swimming lessons
* Surgery for cosmetic purposes
* Toiletries, such as toothpaste and cosmetics
**Did You Know?** If you’re age 65 years or older, you may be eligible to file using IRS form 1040-SR, the .
## Medical Expense Deductions for Self-Employed Seniors
The IRS defines self-employed as individuals who:2
* Are in business for themselves, including a part-time business
* Carry on a business or trade as an independent contractor or sole proprietor
* Are a member of a partnership that carries on a business or trade
Suppose you’re a self-employed senior and have a net profit for the year. In that case,  such as Medicare, Medicaid, Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap), and qualified long-term care insurance can be claimed as a health insurance deduction. These expenses will serve as a deduction toward your adjusted gross income. They are not part of the 7.5 percent rule or an itemized deduction.
## How Can Seniors Claim the Medical Expense Tax Deduction?
After you’ve compiled your medical expenses and confirmed the costs fall under the IRS medical expense approved deductions, it’s time to claim your expenses.
**Did You Know?** You may qualify to receive an .
Your next step is to complete an  form. This form is where you’ll list expenses for medical, dental, taxes and interest paid, charitable contributions, and other deductions. Once this form is completed, attach it to your Form 1040 or 1040-SR.
## Free Tax Help for Older Adults
Unsure if you’re claiming the correct health care and medical expenses? You don’t have to go through this process alone! There are several free tax services to help older adults prepare their tax returns. Take advantage of these important resources:
* **AARP Foundation Tax-Aide:** The  provides free tax assistance to low- to moderate-income taxpayers age 50 or older.
* **IRS Free File:** The  is a partnership with brand-name tax preparation and software companies (known as the Free File Alliance) to provide federal income tax return preparation at no cost. Note: Not all IRS Free File partners offer free state tax services. Be sure to check with the company if both federal and state are free of charge.
* **MilTax Program:** Through , the Department of Defense offers members of the U.S. Armed Forces and qualified  free tax service.
* **Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE):** The , offered through the IRS, provides free tax assistance for all taxpayers, specializing in helping adults age 60 years or older with pension and retirement-related questions.
* **Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA):** Through the IRS, the  program offers free tax return preparation to qualified individuals. People with low to moderate incomes, , and limited English-speaking taxpayers qualify for VITA.
**Pro Tip:** Get tax-savvy by checking out the .
Are you struggling to pay your taxes? Check out the video below on how seniors may be able to avoid paying taxes legally.
Citations
1. Internal Revenue Service. (2023). .
2. Internal Revenue Service. (2021). .
Written By:
Maureen Stanley
Maureen joined SeniorLiving.org with more than 10 years of experience writing in health, lifestyle, and nutrition for premium brands like General Mills, Westinghouse, and Bristol Myers Squibb. Her passion for empowering older adults is evident in coverage of topics like… 
Reviewed By:
Jeff Hoyt
As Editor-in-Chief of the personal finance site MoneyTips.com, Jeff produced hundreds of articles on the subject of retirement, including preventing identity theft, minimizing taxes, investing successfully, preparing for retirement medical costs, protecting your credit score, and making your money last… 
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