[Ruth519]

Good morning. I am a newly diganosed Celiac patient. I had a meeting with my tax advisor yeaterday. I did not know that all of the gluten free food, supplements, or any other things that your doctor orders for us is TAX DEDUCTABLE!!! i I checked out what he told me on the IRS web site and it is all VERY TRUE. What a blessing to know that the food I eat every meal and the supplements that I am taking to get better is going to benefit us on April 15th every year. Hurrah All we need to do is get documentation from your PCP or Gastro as to the diagnosis and all of the supplements and his recomendations for your health. Eat well live long and healthy.

[mamaw]

I think you can deduct the difference between the price of gluten-free food & the wheat counterpart. I don't think you can deduct the total gluten-free food bill... It is a hassle to do this. ie: wheat bread cost$ $2.49 , gluten-free bread cost$5.99 equals $3.50 you can deduct. plus you need to keep proof just in case you are ever audited...this needs to be done with every gluten-free food item. Unless things have changed this year .... For us it is a plain big pain & hassle to try to do this. good luck

mamaw

[Ruth519]

mamaw, on Mar 15 2009, 10:44 AM, said:

I think you can deduct the difference between the price of gluten-free food & the wheat counterpart. I don't think you can deduct the total gluten-free food bill... It is a hassle to do this. ie: wheat bread cost$ $2.49 , gluten-free bread cost$5.99 equals $3.50 you can deduct. plus you need to keep proof just in case you are ever audited...this needs to be done with every gluten-free food item. Unless things have changed this year .... For us it is a plain big pain & hassle to try to do this. good luck

mamaw

The way it read on the IRS website, if your doctor orders the gluten-free diet for you, the cost of that diet is totally deductable. If you have to take fosamax and the doctor wants you to take extra calcium, keep your receipts for the calcium and it iis a deduction. My feeling is that we pay enough in taxes on everything and if I can get back form the government some of what I have paid for the past 50+ years then I will keep every receipt and ask my doctor to write the diagnosis on his letterhead and his recomendations for my good health. I have to keep receipts for my business anyway so this is not that much of a pain for me. What does get me is the difference in pricing of the gluten-free products from one area of the US to another. It is less expensive to eat gluten-free in Colorado as compared to Pennsylvania. It doesn't cost me as much to have my daughter by at Whole Foods in Colorado then put it in the mail to me. What I find is the biggest pain in the glut is that I have to cook two meals every time we eat. I can't afford to feed my husband and son the gluten-free diet also. All of my information on the deductions have come from a former IRS agent also. have a great day!

[happygirl]

Prescriptions, etc., are covered. However, the previous poster is correct - it is the difference in cost, not the total cost, of food.

It is also subject to the 7.5% health expenses rule.

http://www.celiac.com/categories/Celiac-Di...-Deduction-Info

http://www.celiac.com/gluten-free/index.ph...mp;#entry124591

[tarnalberry]

additionally, in the US, it's only deductible if you can take medical deductions - that total medical expenses add up to 7.5% (or more) of your adjusted gross income.

but yeah, you can't take the pound of green beans that you bought as a tax deduction, just because you have to be gluten free.

it's also been reported around here that taking the deduction can be a red-flag for audits, so keep meticulous records for at least three years (or is it seven? I forget how far back they can audit you...)

[mamaw]

I'm sorry but I think your IRS friend is wrong in regards to the tax deduction for the gluten-free . I would re-question that person again.. I for one would love it if that were true.. The other two posters are very correct..
As far as feeding two other members gluten-free. I used to cook to separate meals as well. Now about the only thing I cook different or two of is pasta dishes. Gravies can be made from cornstarch so that takes care of many dishes. I use spices that are already gluten-free.... I make chicken nuggets by changing to gluten-free & everyone loves them better than the wheat version. Meatloaf or meatballs I use gluten-free crumbs & again no one sees the difference...I think the only real difference is in the desserts & I can't eat a whole cake or a whole batch of cookies myself so we all eat at them...There are so many wonderful recipes available plus yummy gluten-free bakeries that I honestly don't see that as a problem ...I cook for a family of 8 most of the time & we mostly all eat gluten-free.. meats, vegetable, & fruits cost no more whether you are gluten-free or not.... 4 are not gluten-free...
Best of Luck to you & yours.....
mamaw