How to Claim Medical Expenses on Your Taxes

Learn when and how to deduct medical expenses on your tax return, including qualifying costs and itemization requirements.

1. Calculate if your medical expenses exceed 7.5% of your income. Add up all qualifying medical expenses for the year. Multiply your adjusted gross income (AGI) by 0.075. You can only deduct the amount that exceeds this threshold. For example, if your AGI is $60,000 and you had $6,000 in medical expenses, you can deduct $1,500 ($6,000 minus $4,500).
2. Determine if itemizing beats the standard deduction. Compare your total itemized deductions (medical expenses plus mortgage interest, state taxes, charitable donations) to the standard deduction. For 2026, the standard deduction is typically around $15,000-$30,000 depending on filing status. If itemizing gives you less than the standard deduction, stick with the standard deduction.
3. Identify which medical expenses qualify. Qualifying expenses include doctor visits, prescription medications, dental and vision care, medical equipment, and health insurance premiums in some cases. Non-qualifying expenses include over-the-counter medications, cosmetic procedures, and most health club memberships. Keep receipts for everything you plan to claim.
4. Track expenses that cross tax years. Only deduct expenses you actually paid during the tax year, not when you received the service. If you paid a January 2027 medical bill in December 2026, it counts for 2026 taxes. Insurance reimbursements reduce your deductible amount, so subtract any reimbursements you received.
5. File Schedule A with your tax return. Use IRS Schedule A to report itemized deductions, including medical expenses on lines 1-4. Attach this form to your Form 1040. Keep all receipts and documentation for at least three years in case of an audit. Consider using tax software or consulting a CPA if your situation is complex.