Can I write off my chiropractic visits?

Asked by: Daren Bergnaum  |  Last update: June 26, 2025
Score: 4.5/5 (27 votes)

According to the IRS, medical expenses that are necessary for the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease or injury can be deducted from your taxes. Chiropractic treatments fall under this category as they are aimed at treating and preventing health conditions.

Are chiropractor visits tax deductible?

Some of the lesser-known deductible medical expenses include: acupuncture, addiction treatment, braille publications, chiropractic services for medical care, contact lenses, diet food, exercise programs, and health, dental and vision insurance premiums.

Is it worth claiming medical expenses on taxes?

Normally, you should only claim the medical expenses deduction if your itemized deductions are greater than your Standard Deduction (TurboTax can also do this calculation for you).

Does chiropractic count towards the deductible?

Many people may be surprised that the IRS also includes alternative therapies like acupuncture and chiropractic as deductible expenses, especially if you received a doctor's referral for those treatments.

What kind of therapy is tax deductible?

(added March 17, 2023) A7: Yes, if the therapy is treatment for a disease. For example, an amount paid for therapy to treat a diagnosed mental illness is a medical expense, but an amount paid for marital counseling is not.

CPA EXPLAINS How To Deduct ALL Medical Expenses 🏥 From Taxes

44 related questions found

Can you deduct gym membership as a medical expense?

Gym memberships are generally considered personal expenses and not tax deductible. However, you may be able to use a tax-advantaged account, like a flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA) to cover your gym membership if a healthcare professional prescribes it for a specific medical condition.

What are IRS 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.

Can chiropractors write you off work?

The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 recognizes chiropractors as valid medical professionals for approving leave. However, getting a short-term disability approved through a chiropractor can be challenging unless certain conditions are met. For approval, the chiropractor has to take an x-ray.

What category does chiropractic fall under?

Philosophy. Chiropractic is generally categorized as complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), which focuses on manipulation of the musculoskeletal system, especially the spine.

How to get a chiropractor covered by insurance?

Your primary care doctor may need to show that the chiropractic services are medically necessary to treat an injury or medical condition. In addition, the insurance company may require proof that the condition is improving with the treatment.

What cannot be claimed as a medical expense?

Examples of Medical and Dental Payments you CANNOT deduct:

Health club dues, gym membership fees, or spa dues. Electrolysis or hair removal. The cost of diet food or nutritional supplements (vitamins, herbal supplements, "natural medicines") Teeth whitening.

What can you deduct if you don't itemize?

You can deduct these expenses whether you take the standard deduction or itemize:
  • Alimony payments.
  • Business use of your car.
  • Business use of your home.
  • Money you put in an IRA.
  • Money you put in health savings accounts.
  • Penalties on early withdrawals from savings.
  • Student loan interest.
  • Teacher expenses.

What proof do I need to deduct medical expenses?

You should also keep a statement or itemized invoice showing:
  • What medical care was received.
  • Who received the care.
  • The nature and purpose of any medical expenses.
  • The amount of the other medical expenses.

Can I write off massages on my taxes?

Massages may be tax deductible if prescribed as a treatment for musculoskeletal disorders such as tendonitis, arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, or fibromyalgia. If a licensed medical practitioner prescribes massage therapy to address musculoskeletal issues, it can be tax-deductible as a medical expense.

Are cobra payments tax deductible?

Are my COBRA premiums deductible? Yes they are tax deductible as a medical expense. There isn't necessarily a “COBRA Tax Deduction”. You can only deduct the amount of COBRA medical expenses on your federal income tax in excess of 7.5% of your Adjusted Gross Income and then only if you itemize deductions.

Is car insurance tax deductible?

If you only use your car for personal use, then you likely can't deduct your car insurance premiums from your taxable income. Generally, you need to use your vehicle for business-related reasons (other than as an employee) to deduct part of your car insurance premiums as a business expense.

Is chiropractor a qualified medical expense?

Deductible medical expenses may include but aren't limited to the following: Amounts paid of fees to doctors, dentists, surgeons, chiropractors, psychiatrists, psychologists, and nontraditional medical practitioners.

How to bill chiropractic claims?

When billing for Chiropractic services:
  1. Report the initial treatment or date of exacerbation.
  2. Specify the precise spinal location and level of subluxation.
  3. Report the date of X-ray if an X-ray is used to demonstrate subluxation.
  4. Report the level of subluxation using the appropriate ICD-10-CM code.

What are the disadvantages of chiropractic?

Chiropractic treatments may cause minor, temporary side effects, such as discomfort, stiffness, or a headache. In rare cases, people also report severe events, including spinal cord injury, artery dissection, and stroke.

Does chiropractic count towards deductible?

Do dentist, chiropractic, and physical therapy fees count toward my deductible? The best answer is “it depends” on the purpose of your visit and your underlying plan. If you are utilizing any of these as a preventive visit, then most likely the charges will not apply toward your deductible.

Can you get FMLA for chronic back pain?

If supported by certification of a health care provider, FMLA leave taken for a chronic serious health condition or a condition for which treatment may not be effective, may be taken as a continuous block of time.

Can a chiropractor legally write a prescription?

The simple answer is no. Doctors of Chiropractic are not licensed to write medical prescriptions, and even if they were, a chiropractors philosophy is an all natural approach to healing. It is a chiropractors goal to have patients avoid the use of addictive pain medications and surgery.

Is a gym membership tax deductible?

The IRS typically does not allow taxpayers to deduct gym memberships or other costs associated with general health and wellness. The main reason is that these expenses are considered personal, even if they contribute indirectly to improved work performance, stress reduction, or overall well-being.

What medical expenses are not tax deductible?

Non-tax-deductible medical expenses include the following: Cosmetic procedures. Nonprescription drugs. General health purchases such as toothpaste and vitamins.

Are massages HSA eligible?

Your HSA can pay for massage therapy, though you'll likely need a letter of medical necessity (LMN) from your doctor. An LMN states what condition the treatment is for, how many sessions you need, and any other relevant details. An HSA may also be used on alternative or holistic treatments, such as: Massage therapy.