Yes — if you’re a retired public-safety officer, up to $3,000 of health, accident, or long-term-care insurance premiums that are deducted from your pension are excluded from your federal taxable income in 2026 under the Pension Protection Act of 2006.
What medical expenses are not tax-deductible?
Cosmetic surgery, gym memberships, diet food, and non-prescription drugs (with the exception of insulin) are not tax-deductible medical expenses under current IRS rules.
These things aren’t deductible because the IRS views them as general health or lifestyle costs rather than treatment for a specific medical condition. (Honestly, this is the kind of rule that frustrates a lot of people.) The agency only allows write-offs for out-of-pocket expenses paid in the same tax year and tied to diagnosing, curing, mitigating, treating, or preventing disease. Always hang onto receipts and doctor’s notes when you’re claiming medical deductions.
Can you write off individual health insurance premiums?
Yes — premiums you pay out-of-pocket for individual health insurance through a federal or state marketplace are tax-deductible in 2026 if you itemize deductions.
Self-employed folks can also deduct their health insurance and qualified long-term-care premiums right on Form 1040, Schedule 1. That reduces adjusted gross income directly. This write-off works even if you don’t itemize, which is great news for freelancers and gig workers. For 2026, the self-employed deduction isn’t subject to the usual 7.5% AGI floor that applies to other medical expenses.
What health expenses are tax-deductible?
Deductible health expenses include preventative care, surgeries, dental and vision care, prescription medications, glasses, contacts, hearing aids, and travel costs for medical treatment when unreimbursed.
You can also include payments to doctors, psychologists, psychiatrists, and long-term-care facilities. Fees for acupuncture, chiropractors, and fertility treatments count too. Even mileage driven to and from medical appointments at the IRS standard rate (67¢ per mile in 2026) may be claimed. Keep every receipt and record you can find to back up these expenses.
Can you write off medical expenses not covered by insurance?
Yes — unreimbursed medical expenses not covered by insurance can be deducted on your federal tax return in 2026 if they exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income.
That covers copays, deductibles, out-of-network charges, and services like physical therapy or mental-health counseling. Even with a high-deductible plan, any non-reimbursed portion might qualify. Just remember: you have to itemize to claim this. If your medical costs are significant or complicated, consider bringing in a tax pro to make sure you’re not leaving money on the table.
What qualifies as a qualified medical expense?
A qualified medical expense is any payment you make for the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease that is not reimbursed by insurance or another source.
Most medically necessary services and durable medical equipment fit the bill, like wheelchairs, blood sugar monitors, and CPAP machines. Medicare-covered services such as doctor visits and lab tests can qualify too, as long as you paid out-of-pocket. Always double-check the IRS Publication 502 — the rules shift from year to year, and you don’t want to miss anything.
Can you deduct medical bills from your taxes?
You can deduct medical bills only if they exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income (AGI) and you itemize deductions on Schedule A for tax year 2026.
Say your AGI is $60,000. That means you can deduct only the amount over $4,500. This 7.5% threshold became permanent back in 2017, so it’s not going away anytime soon. Taxpayers in higher brackets usually get the biggest benefit from this deduction. Using tax software or a CPA can help squeeze every last dollar out of the write-off.
What medical expenses can I deduct in 2020?
For tax year 2020, you could deduct only unreimbursed medical expenses that exceeded 7.5% of your AGI if you itemized.
If your AGI was $50,000, you could deduct expenses above $3,750. The IRS set that rule, and it applied to 2020 returns filed in 2021. 2020 was a weird year thanks to COVID-19 — lots of people ended up with extra medical costs for testing, treatment, or telehealth services.
Can you deduct medical expenses without itemizing?
No — you cannot deduct medical expenses on your federal return unless you itemize deductions using Schedule A in 2026.
The standard deduction in 2026 is $14,600 for single filers and $29,200 for married couples filing jointly. If your total itemized deductions — including state taxes, mortgage interest, and charitable gifts — don’t beat those numbers, itemizing may not be worth the hassle. Run the numbers in your tax software before you file to see which route saves you more.
How much can you deduct for medical expenses on 2021?
In tax year 2021, you could deduct only medical expenses exceeding 7.5% of your adjusted gross income (AGI) if you itemized.
Say your AGI was $70,000. That meant you could deduct expenses above $5,250. The 7.5% threshold has been locked in since 2020 and hasn’t changed since. It applies to everyone, no matter your age or income level.
Is over the counter medication a qualified medical expense?
Only over-the-counter medications that are prescribed by a doctor, plus insulin (even without a prescription), are considered qualified medical expenses under IRS rules in 2026.
This rule comes straight from the Affordable Care Act and covers both OTC drugs and insulin. You’ll need a prescription or doctor’s note to back it up. Common items like pain relievers, allergy meds, or vitamins don’t count unless they’re prescribed.
Are eyeglasses tax deductible?
Yes — prescription eyeglasses and contact lenses are tax-deductible medical expenses in 2026 if you itemize deductions.
That includes routine eye exams and the cost of frames, lenses, or contacts. Non-prescription sunglasses don’t make the cut. Hold onto every receipt and keep an itemized list of these costs when you fill out Schedule A. Some vision insurance plans might reimburse part of the cost, which would lower the amount you can deduct.
What is the standard deduction for medical expenses 2019?
For tax year 2019, medical expenses could be deducted only if they exceeded 7.5% of adjusted gross income (AGI) for taxpayers who itemized.
Congress temporarily lowered the floor to 7.5% and later made it permanent. Always confirm the current threshold with the IRS before you file — these numbers have a way of shifting at the last minute. If you’re unsure about your eligibility, you might also explore whether interest charged by CRA is deductible as part of your overall tax strategy.
Edited and fact-checked by the FixAnswer editorial team.
