Hearing Aids tax deductible as Medical Expenses? Really?

[Pooter]

FYI, I was reading around on the next and came across where it says that hearing aids (cost of travel, parking, etc...) as well as the batteries bought/used are tax deductible in the USA.  See here:  http://www.irs.gov/publications/p502/ar02.html#en_US_publink1000178940

That may save some people some money.

Wasn't sure this was brought up before, but it might be a good thing to know heading into the new year to save all of the receipts for batteries bought throughout the year.

For BAHA wearers, that begs the question.. are they hearing aids or a prosthetic?  And, are those expenses also tax deductible?

Regards,

Brian

[leapyrtwins]

Brian -

hold the phone.  I'm not a tax accountant, but from what I just read from your attached link, the cost of a hearing aide is tax deductible if you can itemize your out-of-pocket medical/dental expenses on Schedule A of Form 1040.  That would mean that you have to follow the rules that apply to itemizing (which is a percentage of your AGI) in order to qualify.  I think it's 7% of your AGI, but I'm not sure - so it's a fairly big IF.

Unless someone has a lot of out-of-pocket medical and dental expenses (or makes a very small wage) they probably don't meet the filing requirements.

As for a BAHA, I don't know.  The IRS code defines prothesis as an artificial limb; obviously a BAHA isn't one.  You might be able to make a case for the device (Divino, Intenso, BP100, Ponto Pro) as a hearing aid, but the largest cost associated with a BAHA implant is the surgical procedure.

Before anyone gets too hyped about this, please consult a tax accountant or tax attorney.

I have a flexible spending plan through my employer (aka a cafeteria plan) and I am able to claim hearing aid batteries, as well as hearing aids.  That's how I plan to pay for my BP100 (a hearing aid device) next year since my insurance company already paid for my Divino and sees no reason for me to upgrade at this early date.

Jan  

[Pooter]

Jan,

Right you are..  I should have included that on my initial post.  Here's a snippet from that site:

"How Much of the Expenses Can You Deduct?
You can deduct on Schedule A (Form 1040) only the amount of your medical and dental expenses that is more than 7.5% of your AGI(Form 1040, line 38).

In this publication, the term “7.5% limit” is used to refer to 7.5% of your AGI. The phrase “subject to the 7.5% limit” is also used. This phrase means that you must subtract 7.5% (.075) of your AGI from your medical expenses to figure your medical expense deduction.

Example.

Your AGI is $40,000, 7.5% of which is $3,000. You paid medical expenses of $2,500. You cannot deduct any of your medical expenses because they are not more than 7.5% of your AGI. "

So, anything above 7.5% of your AGI is tax deductible.  I would presume that BAHA surgery would be one of those "covered expenses" that one could tax deduct, but talk to a CPA or Tax Accountant to be sure.

Regards,
Brian

[grega]

Hi all.

Yep, Brian's right .... as the baha, and all costs associated with it, are medical tax deductions.  So, Resamith, keep in mind all the batteries, cleaning supplies (liquids and soft brushes), antibiotics (hope you don't need 'em), driving expenses (gas, tolls, parking) to and from your doc, audiologist and hospital.  Keep good records!   And then add 'em all up .... and add em to all your other medical expenses .... and see if your number is greater than 7.5% of you AGI.

Good luck!   

Greg

[Denise S]

Oh yeah, it's all tax deductible IF you itemize, etc. like Jan pointed out.   

I had my AN surgery and plenty of expenses in 2009, so I checked with a  friend who is a tax accountant and it is crazy what all you can claim.   That is why I haven't gotten my taxes done yet this year.  Got to get ALL KINDS of stuff together for medical and pretty sure I will have more than the 7.5% last year since I had not income for 3 months either.     My specialists and surgery was almost 3 1/2 hr away so MILEAGE too        Was told too that I could have added all the eye drops, etc. that we had to pay for too, but I didn't know then....so have no receipts.   

Was told to BE SURE to just keep all receipts for this year because if I do any hearing device, that counts too.  Batteries, cleaning supplies, etc....YES!   I was even told over the counter meds.   Also, get mileage for the trips, so was able to just mapquest my route to visits and it is so many cents per mile round trip to ANY medical related stuff.  (I even mapquested my local eye doctor appointments and Physical therapy.....why not?  It all counts)

REMINDER for sure:    You can ONLY claim what you PAID in that tax year, not what you were billed.   

Now, this is all from my person & recommend checking with an accountant/CPA of your own.....of call/email IRS if questions!