Tax Deductions And Gluten-free Foods

[maggee]

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

[tarnalberry]

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]

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]

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]

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

[mmaccartney]

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.

[StrongerToday]

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]

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]

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]

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

[maggee]

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