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It’s hard getting motivated to lose weight, but here’s something that might help: The IRS now recognizes obesity as a disease and allows taxpayers to deduct certain weight-loss expenses. (IRS Revenue Ruling 2002-19)
Prior to this ruling, taxpayers could only deduct weight-loss expenses to treat a condition “associated” with obesity (such as high blood pressure) — not the obesity itself.
 | But as usual with tax breaks, there are a few conditions:
 Deductible weight-loss treatments include bariatric surgery, FDA-approved weight-loss drugs, doctor and hospital-based programs, behavioral and diet counseling, and nutritionists. But you must have a doctor’s diagnosis before weight-loss expenses can be deducted.
Expenses related to general health, such as health club dues, nutritional supplements, diet foods or exercise equipment, are not deductible –— unless they’re related to a doctor’s diagnosis.
Fees for weight reduction programs, such as Weight Watchers and Jenny Craig, are potentially deductible. However, the cost of diet foods or beverages cannot generally be written off because they substitute for what is normally consumed to satisfy your nutritional needs.
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Contact us for information on this IRS ruling and all the latest tax changes. We can't help you lose weight but we can help keep your tax bill down. |
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Our firm provides the information in this e-newsletter for general guidance only, and does not constitute the provision of legal advice, tax advice, accounting services, investment advice, or professional consulting of any kind. The information provided herein should not be used as a substitute for consultation with professional tax, accounting, legal, or other competent advisers. Before making any decision or taking any action, you should consult a professional adviser who has been provided with all pertinent facts relevant to your particular situation. Tax articles in this e-newsletter are not intended to be used, and cannot be used by any taxpayer, for the purpose of avoiding accuracy-related penalties that may be imposed on the taxpayer. The information is provided "as is," with no assurance or guarantee of completeness, accuracy, or timeliness of the information, and without warranty of any kind, express or implied, including but not limited to warranties of performance, merchantability, and fitness for a particular purpose.
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