Is an Apple Watch a qualified medical expense?
Asked by: Rosamond Waelchi | Last update: November 18, 2025Score: 4.6/5 (13 votes)
Can you deduct an Apple Watch as 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.
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.
Do Apple watches qualify for HSA?
Even though Fitbits and Apple Watches measure important health data, they currently do not qualify for HSA reimbursement, as they are considered for general health use and not intended to treat or manage a specific medical condition.
Can I expense my Apple Watch?
Expert's Answer: The short answer to your question is 'yes.
Is the Apple Watch a USEFUL Medical Device?
Can I claim Apple Watch as 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.
Is my Apple Watch tax deductible?
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.
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.
Is Apple Watch eligible for FSA?
Likely not. 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 an HSA pay for a gym membership?
Gym memberships. While some companies and private insurers may offer discounts on gym memberships, you generally can't use your FSA or HSA account to pay for gym or health club memberships. An exception to that rule would be if your doctor deems fitness medically necessary for your recovery or treatment.
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.”
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.
Can a smartwatch be considered a medical device?
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. These regulations provide users with better legal protections and clarity as well as providing for resolution in the event of a mishap.
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 you buy a watch as a tax write off?
Common write-offs or deductions include mortgage interest, interest on student loans and business equipment. Clothing and accessories can be write-offs, but only in very limited circumstances. Sadly, luxury watches like a Rolex are not on the list.
Are gym memberships deductible 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.
Is Planet fitness FSA eligible?
Can you use flexible spending account (FSA) funds to pay for a gym membership or exercise classes? Typically, no. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) usually doesn't allow funds from an FSA to pay for membership dues at health clubs or gyms.
Is toilet paper FSA eligible?
Here are examples of items and expenses that are not FSA-eligible for 2024: General health items: toiletries like toothpaste, toilet paper, or shampoo, cosmetic products, vitamins and supplements (without a prescription) Non-medical equipment: car seats, strollers, non-medical exercise equipment.
Are electric toothbrushes FSA eligible?
Unfortunately, most products for oral health care are not currently eligible medical expenses for FSA and HSA spending.
How to get an Apple Watch for free?
HDFC Ergo and Zopper have launched "India Gets Moving," incentivizing fitness with Apple Watches. Participants who walk 15,000 steps daily for a year receive a full refund on their watch purchase from select Apple Premium Resellers.
Do cardiologists recommend Apple Watch?
If you have an abnormal heart rhythm, over time your risk of stroke may increase. If you experience palpitations or fluttering, your doctor might recommend you use the Apple Watch or another wearable to track your heart.
Can I use my HSA for Apple Watch?
Unfortunately the answer to this question is usually no. This is because according to the IRS, fitness trackers are used to promote what the IRS terms “general health”. Expenses under this general health definition are not considered HSA eligible expenses.
Can I expense an Apple Watch?
You could, however, claim that the watch is part of your remuneration package, which would then mean it is wholly and exclusively for the purposes of the business and be tax deductible.
Can I claim my smart watch on tax?
Expenses you can claim
If you are entitled to claim a deduction for a watch or smart watch: you can claim for the cost of buying and maintaining the watch, including repairs, batteries and watchbands. if the watch cost more than $300, you claim a deduction for its decline in value over its effective life.
What electronics are tax deductible?
- 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.