Many people visit chiropractors for various reasons, including back pain, headaches, and joint pain. However, one question that often comes up is whether or not chiropractor visits can be claimed on your taxes. The answer is that it depends on your specific situation.
Medical Expenses Deduction
If you have significant medical expenses in a given year, you may be able to deduct them on your taxes. This deduction is available for expenses that exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income (AGI). This means that if your AGI is $50,000, you can only deduct expenses that exceed $3,750.
Chiropractic expenses are considered qualifying medical expenses under the medical expenses deduction. This includes visits to a chiropractor for treatment of a medical condition or injury. However, the expense must be deemed necessary by a medical professional, such as a doctor.
For example, if you visit a chiropractor for back pain and your doctor recommends it as part of your treatment plan, you may be able to deduct the expense. However, if you visit a chiropractor for general wellness or preventative care, you cannot claim the expense on your taxes.
Itemized Deductions
If you decide to itemize your deductions instead of taking the standard deduction, you may be able to deduct chiropractic expenses as part of your medical expenses deduction. Itemizing your deductions requires more effort, but it may result in a larger deduction.
To itemize your deductions, you must first add up all your qualifying expenses, including medical expenses, charitable donations, and mortgage interest. If the total exceeds the standard deduction for your filing status, you may be able to itemize your deductions.
Other Considerations
It’s important to note that not all chiropractic expenses are deductible. For example, if you receive treatment from a chiropractor who is not licensed, you cannot claim the expense. Additionally, any expenses covered by insurance or a flexible spending account (FSA) cannot be claimed as a deduction.
Lastly, it’s important to keep accurate records of all chiropractic expenses you incur throughout the year. This includes receipts, invoices, and statements from your chiropractor. You may also want to consult with a tax professional to ensure that you are taking all the deductions you are eligible for.
Conclusion
In summary, chiropractic expenses can be claimed on your taxes if they are considered a qualifying medical expense and exceed 7.5% of your AGI. However, it’s important to ensure that the expense is deemed necessary by a medical professional and that accurate records are kept. If you have any questions about claiming chiropractic expenses on your taxes, it’s recommended that you consult with a tax professional who knows about chiropractic care.