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Smoking Cessation Programs

 

You can include in medical expenses amounts you pay for a program to stop smoking. However, you cannot include in medical expenses amounts you pay for drugs that do not require a prescription, such as nicotine gum or patches that are designed to help stop smoking.

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Weight-Loss Programs

 

You can include in medical expenses amounts you pay to lose weight if it is a treatment for a specific disease diagnosed by a physician (such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes or heart disease). This includes fees you pay for membership in a weight reduction group and attendance at periodic meetings. You cannot include membership dues in a gym, health club, or spa as medical expenses, but you can include separate fees charged there for weight loss activities.

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Weight-Loss Programs

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 To claim the credit, complete Form 8885, Health Coverage Tax Credit, and attach it to your Form 1040 or Form 1040NR. Report the credit on Form 1040, line 67, or Form 1040NR, line 62, and check box c. You cannot claim the credit on Form 1040A or Form 1040EZ

 

You need to attach invoices and proof of payment for any amounts you include on line 2 of Form 8885 for which you did not receive an advance payment. Be sure to ask me for a receipt! If you file your return electronically, attach the invoices and proof of payment to your Form 8453. Proof of payment may include a pay stub if insurance is through a spouse’s employment, a bank check, or bank statement for premiums that are automatically deducted from your account.

 

If you claim this credit, you cannot take the same expenses that you use to figure your health coverage tax credit into account in determining your:

 

 •Medical and dental expenses on Schedule A (Form 1040)

 •Self-employed health insurance deduction

 •Archer Medical Savings Account (MSA) distributions.

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Here is the IRS Publication 502 which gives you a current list of covered expenses https://www.irs.gov/publications/p502/index.html*

 

*Please consult your tax advisor should you require specific tax advice

 

Please note that the above should not be considered tax advice. Please confirm with your tax consultant. As you know, tax laws change.

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