Is massage a deductible medical expense?
Asked by: Prof. Mike Erdman | Last update: October 5, 2025Score: 4.9/5 (7 votes)
What expenses are not allowed as deductible medical expenses?
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 I pay for a massage with my HSA?
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.
Does insurance cover medical massage?
Massage therapy may be covered under insurance if it is deemed medically necessary by a healthcare provider. To improve the chances of coverage, obtain a referral or prescription from your doctor specifying the medical condition being treated.
Is a pedicure a tax write-off?
Personal appearance expenses, such as haircuts, makeup, and getting your nails done are also nondeductible.
CPA EXPLAINS How To Deduct ALL Medical Expenses 🏥 From Taxes
How do I write off massages on my taxes?
For instance, if your doctor prescribes massages to help recover from an injury or manage a chronic condition, you may be able to include these costs in your medical expense deductions. Keep in mind that the IRS requires that these expenses exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income before you can claim them.
Are hair and nail receipts tax deductible?
The IRS does not let you deduct personal expenses from your taxes. The Court states, expenses such as haircuts, makeup, clothes, manicures, grooming, teeth whitening, hair care, manicures, and other cosmetic surgery are not deductible.
Are massages considered medical?
Medical Necessity: The IRS says medical expenses must be for alleviating or preventing a physical or mental condition. In other words, your massage therapy needs to be medically necessary—a term your doctor will have to agree on.
How to get a free massage?
- Swap massages with a spouse or partner. One of the best ways to get a free massage is to swap massages with a loved one. ...
- Exchange massages with a friend. ...
- Promote the benefits of a massage. ...
- Barter with a Licensed Massage Therapist. ...
- Check your health insurance coverage.
Does Blue Cross Blue Shield cover massage?
Yes, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield does cover therapy services. However, the amount of the therapy cost they cover depends on your unique health insurance plan.
Can a chiropractor write a letter of medical necessity for massage therapy?
Yes, a physician or chiropractor can write a Letter of Medical Necessity for massage therapy if they determine it is essential for treating a specific condition. This letter is often required by insurers or for HSA/FSA eligibility to verify the medical need for therapy.
Can I pay for gym membership with HSA?
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.
Are massages covered by FSA?
Pay with Your FSA or HSA: Once you have the prescription, you can pay for your massage therapy directly with your FSA or HSA debit card. If your provider doesn't accept these cards, you can pay out of pocket and submit a claim for reimbursement.
What expenses are no longer deductible?
Expenses such as union dues, work-related business travel, or professional organization dues are no longer deductible, even if the employee can itemize deductions.
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.
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.
How much do you tip for a $100 massage?
To keep the math simple, tipping 20% makes it easy to calculate and ensures you're on the generous end of the gratuity spectrum. For a $100 massage, a $20 tip is both generous and straightforward to figure out.
What is the going rate for a massage?
On average, prices in the United States range from $50 to $150 per hour, with higher rates typical in urban areas and luxury spas. The cost is also affected by the therapist's experience, the type of massage, and any additional services provided.
What is the most favorite body part to be massaged?
The survey results are in and the back took top position as the most favourite part of the body to be massaged followed by the shoulders. Then feet coming in at third surprisingly took preference over the neck at fourth, followed by head/face, legs, arms and hands as the least favourite.
Can I deduct a massage 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.
Is massage covered by health insurance?
Medical companies cover medical procedures and will not cover luxuries such as massage that is not prescribed by a doctor. If you do not have a medical need for massage therapy and are only seeing a massage for enjoyment, then you will not be covered by medical insurance.
When massage is not allowed?
Second, a massage shouldn't be done in any area of the body where there may be blood clots, fractures, open or healing wounds, skin infections, and healing from a recent surgery.
What can I write off on my taxes?
- Bad debts.
- Canceled debt on home.
- Capital losses.
- Donations to charity.
- Gains from sale of your home.
- Gambling losses.
- Home mortgage interest.
- Income, sales, real estate and personal property taxes.
Can I write off a haircut?
A haircut is considered a personal hygiene expense and is explicitly deemed a non-deductible expense for independent workers. You can't deduct the cost of premiums for life insurance where you are the beneficiary. This includes taking policies out to secure a loan for your business, or to fund a succession plan.
Can I write off clothes for work?
Work clothes are tax deductible if your employer requires you to wear them everyday but they cannot be worn as everyday wear, such as a uniform. However, if your employer requires you to wear suits – which can be worn as everyday wear – you cannot deduct their cost even if you never wear the suits outside of work.