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Tax Deductions And Gluten-free Foods


maggee

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maggee Newbie

I just went shopping and since my whole family (4) are eating gluten-free the bills are stacking up. Has anyone deducted the costs of their treatment (gluten-free foods) as a medical expense from their taxes? Just wondering...

Maggee


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tarnalberry Community Regular

I haven't done it, since it requires that your medical expenses are high enough to itemize them - I believe 7.5% of your AGI. Not gonna happen here. :-) Especially since I don't have much of anything to deduct, as I don't buy the specialty goods - I stick to stuff that's normally gluten-free (mostly produce and meats anyway).

dionnek Enthusiast

yes, you can deduct the difference between the normal food (i.e. - normal bread) and the specialty gluten-free food - must have receipt and must total more than 7.5% of AGI, so probably won't happen (ie., all medical expenses combined that exceed 7.5% of AGI are deductible, and this includes the gluten-free food cost increment).

TCA Contributor

From what I understand it has to be the difference in the cost of regular food and the gluten-free subs. I don't think you can do the whole thing. We're allowed to do this through our pre tax spending account at my husband's work.

Guest Viola
I just went shopping and since my whole family (4) are eating gluten-free the bills are stacking up. Has anyone deducted the costs of their treatment (gluten-free foods) as a medical expense from their taxes? Just wondering...

Maggee

You don't say which country you are in. I deduct the difference between the cost of gluten free, and non-gluten free. It works for us because we are low income. We can also deduct milage for doctor visits as we live in the country.

AndreaB Contributor

Also, I've read that you have to be officially diagnosed celiac which my family isn't so we can't do it.

mmaccartney Explorer

As mentioned before, in the USA you can deduct the cost difference of gluten-free food versus "normal food" as long as you meet the 7.5% of your AGI criteria (which almost none of us would based on food alone). For example, say gluten-free bread costs $5.00 and "normal" bread costs $1.00 you could deduct $4.00 you would need to keep all your receipts though.

There is an option to avoid the 7.5% mark. If you are using a medical Flexible Spending Account, you can submit the difference described above to your FSA for reimbursement. They must have a doctors note, or prescription for a gluten-free diet, but it is completely allowed by the IRS.

I used the FSA method last year prior to my "official" dianosis. At the time my GI was willing to write me a presecription for a "gluten free diet" which was sufficient for my FSA to reimburse me the difference.


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StrongerToday Enthusiast

My friend is a CPA and she says that while technically you could try this, she can't imagine sending a bigger welcoming to the IRS to audit your taxes!! She also recommended the FSA. While shopping one day in the gluten-free freezer section, I met a woman who was writing everything down "brownies - $4, seves 6" etc. I asked her and sure enough she kept a spreadsheet of all gluten-free food she's bought and deducts the difference with her FSA. Seems like a lot of work to me tho!

Nic Collaborator

I asked my accountant about it this past tax season. He said I could not deduct it because it is not a "prescription". I live in Jersey.

Nicole

Lymetoo Contributor

I think there IS a way to deduct it other than the above mentioned methods. Let me listen to a celiac disease I have....again. Don't remember enough to tell you now.

What's FSA?

StrongerToday Enthusiast
I think there IS a way to deduct it other than the above mentioned methods. Let me listen to a celiac disease I have....again. Don't remember enough to tell you now.

What's FSA?

FSA is a Flexible Spending Account that a lot of employers offer. They take money out of your paycheck (before tax) and set it aside. You have to submit receipts for things - each FSA is different so check the details of your own plan. My FSA lets me get reimbursed for contacts, OTC products, script co-pays, dr. co-pays, etc. Haven't checked on food yet though. You then get reimbursed with your tax-free dollars. If you have a lot of medical bills, this is a really great thing to have!!

My employer also offers a child care FSA, that is a big savings for me

:D

maggee Newbie

Thanks all - sounds like more trouble than it is worth by my quick calculations I might only just make it over the 7.5%. That just is worth the red audit flag.

Maggee

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