Are Dental Procedures Tax Deductible?

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It’s tax time again! Tax Day is Tuesday, April 17th—and you know what that means. It’s time to buckle down and go through your 2017 expenses to see what is tax deductible and what isn’t. We all want to save as much as possible so we can get back a bigger return, but plenty of people forget to consider their dental expenses when gathering up their tax materials.

Dental Procedures

Every year people wonder, “Are dental procedures tax deductible?” Well, we have good news: like with other medical procedures and expenses, some dental procedures are tax deductible. These include: routine and preventive treatments, X-rays, fillings, braces, dental surgery, and extractions.

You probably noticed that we said “some.” You can’t deduct any dental expenses that you received for purely cosmetic reasons (like teeth whitening). And remember that procedures that have been reimbursed by health insurance are also not tax deductible.

So What Else is Tax Exempt?

Dental procedures are not the only things that are tax deductible. You can also claim expenses that are dental-related, such as these:

  • —Prescriptions:
  • You can claim prescriptions as they relate to your dental health, for instance if you are prescribed pain medication after a surgery.

  • —Travel:
  • Travel to and from your dental appointments is also an allowable deduction, be that via car, train, or plane. This might apply if you’ve travelled a long distance to see a specialist, such as a prosthodontist or an oral surgeon.

  • —Dental Equipment:
  • Dentures, implants, and other equipment are also covered, as long as they are not already taken care of by insurance.

Remember, the more items that qualify for tax deduction, the more money you’ll save in the long run. You have a month left to file, so get going!

Do you have more questions related to your dental health?