Navigating the Numbers

As healthcare expenses continue to rise, understanding how to leverage healthcare tax deductions is more important than ever. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the various healthcare deductions available for individuals and families, detailing how each can be used to reduce your tax burden.

Medical and Dental Expenses Deduction:

• Eligibility Requirements: If your total medical and dental expenses exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income (AGI), you can claim a deduction for the excess amount.
• Qualifying Expenses: Expenses that qualify include payments to doctors, dentists, surgeons, as well as costs for prescription medications, necessary medical equipment, and insurance premiums (excluding premiums deducted pre-tax).

Health Savings Account (HSA) Contributions:

• High-Deductible Plan Benefits: An HSA is a powerful tool for individuals with high-deductible health plans. Contributions made to an HSA are deductible from your taxable income.
• Tax Advantages: The contributions made reduce your taxable income, and withdrawals used for qualified medical expenses are tax-free.
• 2023 Contribution Limits: For 2023, you can contribute up to $3,850 for self-coverage or $7,750 for family coverage, with an additional $1,000 for those aged 55 and older.

Flexible Spending Arrangements (FSAs):

• Pre-Tax Contributions: FSAs, typically offered by employers, allow you to contribute pre-tax dollars to cover medical expenses.
• Use-It-or-Lose-It Policy: Be mindful of the plan’s rules; unspent FSA funds at the end of the year might be forfeited unless your plan allows for a grace period or a carryover of a limited amount.

Long-Term Care Insurance Premiums:

• Tax Deductibility: Premiums paid for qualified long-term care insurance can be deductible, subject to age-related limits.
• Eligibility Criteria: Ensure your policy meets the necessary criteria to be considered qualified for tax purposes.

Self-Employed Health Insurance Deduction:

• Direct Deduction Benefits: If you’re self-employed, you can deduct 100% of your health insurance premiums from your business income.
  • S-Corporation owners: Insurance premiums are added to the owner’s W2 and deducted on the owner’s personal tax return.
  • Sole Proprietors: Insurance premiums are deducted on the owner’s personal tax return.
• Eligibility Clarifications: This deduction is only available if you’re not eligible to participate in an employer-sponsored health plan, whether through your own employer or your spouse’s.

Navigating healthcare deductions can meaningfully decrease your taxable income, providing relief from the growing costs of healthcare. Keeping thorough records of all medical expenses and understanding the nuances of each deduction type are critical for optimizing your tax benefits.

Ready to take control of your healthcare expenses at tax time? Reach out to our team for expert advice on maximizing your healthcare deductions and making informed decisions for your family’s financial health.

The tax information provided here is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as or relied upon for tax or legal advice. This information is based on the laws and regulations in effect at the time of issuance, and we do not undertake any obligation to update this information after the date of its release. Please speak with your tax professional or attorney for guidance specific to your circumstances.