Can you deduct long-term care premiums if you don t itemize?

Asked by: Izaiah Hodkiewicz  |  Last update: September 23, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (10 votes)

If you are self-employed, you may be eligible to deduct your long-term care insurance premiums on your tax return without itemizing. This is done on page one of Form 1040. This deduction reduces your adjusted gross income, which is a key number used to determine eligibility for many credits and deductions.

Can I deduct long-term care insurance premiums on my taxes?

Long-term care insurance premiums are tax-deductible up to certain limits — which are based on your age. Here are the long-term care insurance deduction limits for the 2023 tax year (note: limits are based on your age on the last day of the tax year): 40 years old or younger: $480. 41 to 50 years old: $890.

Are health insurance premiums tax deductible if you don t itemize?

Does a health insurance premium include tax-deductible amounts? Whether you can deduct health insurance premiums from your tax return also depends on a few factors. First, you'll only be able to deduct premiums as medical expenses if you itemize deductions on your tax return, but not if you take the standard deduction.

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.

Can I claim medical expenses on my taxes if I don't itemize?

To claim the medical expense deduction, you must itemize your deductions. Itemizing requires that you don't take the Standard Deduction. 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).

Is Long Term Care Insurance Tax Deductible? [Dan Tripp]

38 related questions found

Can I deduct Medicare premiums if I don't itemize?

If you're self-employed, you may be able to deduct premiums for Medicare or other eligible health insurance from your income without having to itemize or meet the 7.5 percent threshold. Even if you were primarily retired but did some consulting work, you may be eligible to deduct all or part of your premiums.

Are nursing home costs tax deductible?

Yes, in certain instances nursing home expenses are deductible medical expenses. If you, your spouse, or your dependent is in a nursing home primarily for medical care, then the nursing home cost not compensated for by insurance or otherwise (including meals and lodging) is deductible as a medical expense.

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)

At what point is it worth it to itemize deductions?

You should itemize deductions on Schedule A (Form 1040), Itemized Deductions if the total amount of your allowable itemized deductions is greater than your standard deduction or if you must itemize deductions because you can't use the standard deduction.

Can I deduct cash contributions if I don't itemize?

Taxpayers who took the standard deduction used to be able to claim up to $600 in cash donations to qualified charities without having to itemize. They can no longer do so. Despite these changes, there are still many ways to make charitable gifts work for causes you believe in — and your tax returns.

Can I deduct health insurance premiums if I am retired?

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.

Is homeowners insurance tax deductible?

You may look for ways to reduce costs including turning to your tax return. Some taxpayers have asked if homeowner's insurance is tax deductible. Here's the skinny: You can only deduct homeowner's insurance premiums paid on rental properties. Homeowner's insurance is never tax deductible your main home.

Which of the following taxes will not qualify as an itemized deduction?

Gasoline taxes on personal travel cannot be listed as an itemized deduction because it isn't included in the list.

Are long-term care premiums tax deductible in 2024?

For 2024, individuals over the age of 70 can deduct up to $5,880 in long-term care premiums. To be considered qualified, these policies must adhere to the guidelines established by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996.

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.

Which of the following is not an allowable exclusion for long-term care insurance policies?

The correct answer is: b. Acute care Explanation: 1. Acute care is not an allowable exclusion for long-term insurance policies. Acute care refers to the treatment of short-term illnesses or injuries that require immediate medical attention and are typically covered by health insurance policies.

What are three itemized deductions I could claim?

Types of itemized deductions
  • mortgage interest you pay on up to two homes.
  • your state and local income or sales taxes.
  • property taxes.
  • medical and dental expenses that exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income.
  • charitable donations.

Should seniors itemize deductions?

Standard deduction for seniors – If you do not itemize your deductions, you can get a higher standard deduction amount if you and/or your spouse are 65 years old or older.

What is the 2 rule on itemized deductions?

You can claim part of your total job expenses and certain miscellaneous expenses. These expenses must be more than 2% of your adjusted gross income (AGI).

At what age is Social Security no longer taxed?

Social Security income can be taxable no matter how old you are. It all depends on whether your total combined income exceeds a certain level set for your filing status. You may have heard that Social Security income is not taxed after age 70; this is false.

When to not take standard deduction?

Certain taxpayers aren't entitled to the standard deduction:
  1. You are a married individual filing as married filing separately whose spouse itemizes deductions.
  2. You are an individual who was a nonresident alien or dual status alien during the year (see below for certain exceptions)

At what age do seniors stop paying federal 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. If you're married filing jointly and both 65 or older, that amount is $32,300.

Can long-term care premiums be deducted from taxes?

Long-term care insurance premiums can be costly. The IRS allows qualified taxpayers to deduct a portion of their long-term care insurance premiums on their tax return based on their age. Generally, you must itemize deductions and have expenses that exceed the AGI threshold to qualify.

Are funeral expenses tax deductible?

You can't deduct funeral expenses on your personal income tax return because the IRS doesn't consider them qualified medical expenses. You can deduct funeral expenses if they're paid using the estate's funds, but only for estates that are subject to tax.

Are dementia care costs tax deductible?

The medical expenses included in the fees for Assisted Living or Memory Care can be written off on taxes—with some qualifications and restrictions. People who have an older loved one who meets the definition of a dependent may also be able to take a deduction.