Are health insurance premiums qualified medical expenses?
Asked by: Mr. Leo Lubowitz | Last update: November 22, 2025Score: 4.9/5 (30 votes)
Are insurance premiums part of medical expenses?
Premiums as Part of Overall Medical Expenses. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) allows you to count medical and dental insurance premiums that you've paid yourself in taxable dollars (and with some limitations, long-term care insurance premiums) as part of the total medical expenses.
Do health insurance premiums count towards the deductible?
If you paid the premiums for a policy you obtained yourself, (such as through the marketplace) your health insurance premium is deductible when they are out-of-pocket costs.
Can you deduct health insurance premiums without itemizing?
Unless you are self-employed, you can only deduct the cost of health insurance from your income if you itemize your deductions. For example, if you are single with an adjusted gross income (AGI) of $70,000 and take the standard deduction of $13,850, you're lowering your taxable income to $56,150.
What is not considered a qualified medical expense?
Other examples of nondeductible medical expenses are nonprescription drugs, doctor prescribed travel for "rest," and expenses for the improvement of your general health such as a weight loss program or health club fees (the weight loss program is deductible if it is to treat a specific disease).
Health Savings Account (HSA): Qualified Medical Expenses
Do health insurance premiums reduce taxable income?
If you enroll in a medical plan that requires you to pay a premium, you'll be automatically enrolled for pretax deduction of your premium costs from your paycheck. This reduces your taxable income and increases your take-home pay.
What does the IRS consider qualified medical expenses?
Medical expenses are the costs of diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease, and for the purpose of affecting any part or function of the body. These expenses include payments for legal medical services rendered by physicians, surgeons, dentists, and other medical practitioners.
What are the IRS rules for deducting health insurance premiums?
You can deduct on Schedule A (Form 1040) only the part of your medical and dental expenses that is more than 7.5% of your adjusted gross income (AGI). This publication also explains how to treat impairment-related work expenses and health insurance premiums if you are self-employed.
Are health insurance premiums deductible for retirees?
Health insurance premiums can be tax deductible when you retire, but it depends on several factors such as your age, the type of health insurance plan that you have and whether you are self-employed or not.
Are there any deductions you can take without itemizing?
To reap the benefits of deductions without the hassle of itemization, Backman notes you'll need line items that fall into these categories — contributions to your IRA, contributions to your HSA (health savings account), expenses you incur as a teacher like purchasing classroom supplies, and interest on student loans.
Is it worth claiming medical expenses on taxes?
The medical expense deduction covers a wide variety of expenses. However, because of the high Standard Deduction and the 7.5% of AGI threshold requirement, it can be difficult to benefit unless you have a lot of out-of-pocket costs.
What doesn't count towards medical deductible?
Copays and coinsurance don't count toward your deductible. Only the amount you pay for health care services (like the medical bill you receive) count toward your plan's deductible.
Can I deduct health insurance premiums if I am self-employed?
The self-employed health insurance deduction is a federal tax deduction that reduces your annual income. Through this deduction, self-employed workers who have a net profit for the year can write off 100 percent of their health insurance premium. They can also deduct premium costs for any spouse or dependents.
Are premiums included in deductible?
No, your premium does not go towards your deductible, and it doesn't count for your out-of-pocket maximum (the most you'll pay for care each year). But deductibles and premiums flow into one another. They have an inverse relationship. When one is more affordable, the other tends to be more expensive.
What proof do I need to deduct medical expenses?
- What medical care was received.
- Who received the care.
- The nature and purpose of any medical expenses.
- The amount of the other medical expenses.
Is insurance premium an expense or not?
All policies come with premiums. If they expire, they must be recorded as an expense. Unexpired premiums should be listed as prepaid insurance, which is listed in an asset account.
Are Medicare and health insurance premiums tax deductible?
Yes, Medicare premiums are tax deductible as a medical expense as long as you meet two requirements. First, you must itemize your deductions on your tax return to deduct them from your taxable income. Second, only medical expenses that exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income (AGI) are deductible.
What is the extra standard deduction for seniors over 65?
For 2024, the additional standard deduction amounts for taxpayers who are 65 and older or blind are: $1,950 for Single or Head of Household (increase of $100) $1,550 for married taxpayers or Qualifying Surviving Spouse (increase of $50)
How much money can a 70 year old make without paying taxes?
Taxes aren't determined by age, so you will never age out of paying taxes. People who are 65 or older at the end of 2024 have to file a return for tax year 2024 (which is due in 2025) if their gross income is $16,550 or higher.
What medical expenses are deductible by the IRS?
These expenses include payments for legal medical services rendered by physicians, surgeons, dentists and other medical practitioners. They also include the costs of equipment, supplies and diagnostic devices. Medical care expenses must be primarily to alleviate or prevent a physical or mental defect or illness.
What insurance premiums are not tax deductible?
Business Insurance Premiums That Are Not Tax Deductible
Certain life insurance or annuity premiums. Premiums paid on insurance to secure loans. Premiums paid for a policy that covers earnings lost due to sickness or disability.
What are qualified medical expenses?
Common IRS-Qualified Medical Expenses
Acupuncture. Ambulance. Artificial limbs. Artificial teeth* Birth control treatment.
Which of the following person's health insurance premiums can be deducted for AGI by a self-employed taxpayer?
If you're self-employed, you may be eligible to deduct premiums that you pay for medical, dental, and qualifying long-term care insurance coverage for yourself, your spouse, and your dependents.
Which expenses do not qualify for a medical expense deduction?
- The portion of your insurance premiums treated as paid by your employer. ...
- Funeral or burial expenses.
- Amounts paid for nonprescription medicines.
- Amounts paid for toothpaste, toiletries, or cosmetics.
Are insurance premiums HSA eligible?
Tax benefits and limitations:
You can hold and add to the tax-free savings to pay for medical care later. HSAs may earn interest that can't be taxed. You generally can't use HSA funds to pay premiums.