Is an Apple Watch a medical expense?

Asked by: Reinhold Stiedemann  |  Last update: October 13, 2025
Score: 4.3/5 (20 votes)

“The new Apple Watch Series 4 was approved by the FDA as an electrocardiogram or ECG. Does this mean someone can purchase the new Apple Watch and those funds count as a medical expense?” The answer is no.

Is an Apple Watch a qualified medical expense?

While your Apple Watch, Garmin, or other tracker may offer you some insight—and maybe even some encouragement—to stay on top of your fitness routine, they are not typically considered medical devices for purposes of FSA and HSA funds.

Can I claim my Apple Watch as a tax deduction?

Similarly, smart watches are also usually considered private expenses which makes them non-deductible. The only exception here is if you need the smart watch's features to perform your job duties – even then you need to maintain a diary or records of the watch's work-related usage.

Does the Apple Watch qualify as a medical device?

Reportedly in the works for future versions of the Apple Watch: Blood pressure monitoring and blood glucose readings. It's important to emphasize that Apple can't, by law, market the watch as a medical device.

Can I expense an Apple Watch?

Expert's Answer: The short answer to your question is 'yes.

Some doctors recommending Apple Watches to manage health conditions

17 related questions found

How do I write off a watch?

You must meet the following criteria:
  1. The item must be necessary or essential to do your job.
  2. The item must not be suitable for everyday wear outside of work.

Can Apple Watch be used as a medical alert?

After the call ends, your watch sends a message to your emergency contacts with your location letting them know that your watch detected a hard fall and dialed emergency services. Your watch gets your emergency contacts from your Medical ID. You can't set emergency services as an emergency contact.

Is Apple Watch medically approved?

The FDA said the Apple Watch is now usable in clinical studies. As the report noted, it means it is “Designed to be used … both before and after cardiac ablation devices, to monitor a study participant's weekly estimate of AFib burden.”

Is a smart watch a medical device?

Device and app developers have consistently made it clear that their products cannot replace a professional medical doctor's advice or treatment. A smartwatch is not a medical device as defined by law. In the UK, medical devices are strictly regulated in a way that other devices such as smartwatches are not.

What electronics are tax deductible?

Work-Related Devices That You Can Write Off
  • Smart Phones. Smartphone usage for business purposes is a legitimate cost. ...
  • Computers, laptops, notebooks, tablets. The IRS mandates that your business expenses are customary, necessary, and reasonable to be eligible for deduction. ...
  • Internet Usage. ...
  • Software.

Can I claim my iPhone as a tax deduction?

If you're an eligible business for the instant asset write-off, the full cost of the mobile device you purchase will be deductible if it is less than the instant asset write-off threshold. You can only claim the business portion of the expenses if the mobile devices are used for both business and private uses.

Are medical devices tax deductible?

The IRS allows individuals to deduct the cost of medical equipment, including wheelchair vans, from their taxes if they qualify for the Durable Medical Equipment (DME) tax deduction.

What Cannot be claimed as a medical expense?

Medical care expenses must be primarily to alleviate or prevent a physical or mental disability or illness. They don't include expenses that are merely beneficial to general health, such as vitamins or a vacation.

Can a doctor prescribe an Apple Watch?

That would require regulatory approval from the Food and Drug Administration, not to mention a prescription from your doctor to get one. The Apple Watch, therefore, is positioned as a handy way to oversee various aspects of daily activities, but not as a way to treat medical conditions.

Can you buy shampoo with HSA?

Over-the-counter toiletries or personal hygiene items which may include, but are not limited to shampoo, toothpaste, conditioners, hand creams, deodorant, shaving cream, razors, dental floss, body powders, hair gels/sprays, make-up, nail polish accessories, soap, mouthwash, etc., are not reimbursable.

Can an Apple Watch be a medical expense?

“The new Apple Watch Series 4 was approved by the FDA as an electrocardiogram or ECG. Does this mean someone can purchase the new Apple Watch and those funds count as a medical expense?” The answer is no.

Is the Apple Watch registered as a medical device?

The FDA certified Apple Watch is still not a medical device.

Why is the Apple Watch not recommended for AFib?

However, while an Apple Watch and other smartwatches can detect and manage AFib, they cannot provide a diagnosis. Smartwatches can be helpful in signaling when a person should seek a diagnosis from a doctor, but people should not use them as a diagnostic tool.

Why are seniors buying up this $49 smartwatch?

Apple is giving $49 Apple Watches to seniors who qualify for a new heart study — here's how to sign up - Tech Insider - Quora. Seniors selected to use an Apple Watch will be eligible to buy one for $49 plus tax, a steep discount on the $399 Apple Watch Series 5.

Why is Apple discontinuing the Apple Watch?

Apple pulls online sales of Apple Watches

Both watches will disappear from Apple's brick-and-mortar stores after December 24th. The ban is the result of a patent dispute with medical device maker Masimo. The ITC has ruled that the SpO2 sensor in Apple's smartwatches infringes upon Masimo's patents.

Can a smart watch be used as a medical alert?

Smartwatches are the newest generation of medical alert systems and they're an exciting option for seniors. Besides offering all the safety features of a traditional medical alert, these systems are fully-function smartwatches with features like a weather app, a step counter and a heart-rate monitor.

Is an Apple Watch tax deductible?

In general, a smart watch is considered a private expense and not deductible. However, if you require some of the smart watch's functions as an essential part of your employment activities, you may be able to claim a deduction for it.

Can you write off Apple Watch for work?

The IRS hasn't taken a stand on whether some portion of your Apple Watch qualifies as a deductible business expense. However, some tax professionals suggest that it could, depending on how you use the watch and how you prove and document that use.

How do I write on my Apple Watch?

Write: Use your finger to write letters, numbers, and punctuation on the screen. Use predictive text: Turn the Digital Crown to see suggested words, then stop turning the Digital Crown to enter the highlighted suggestion. Add a space: Tap Space. Edit: To move the cursor, turn the Digital Crown.