With tax season quickly approaching, you may be wondering what you can claim on your tax return. Here is a helpful guide on what dental treatments you can claim.
Itemize
You can only claim dental expenses that you paid for in 2017 if you itemize deductions on your federal tax return. However, you should only itemize if your total deductions are more than the standard deduction amount.
Qualifying Dental Expenses
Your dental expenses must be uninsured expenses. You can’t claim expenses that your insurance provider covered. Qualifying dental expenses include costs associated with diagnosing, treating, easing, or preventing dental disease, including the services of a dental hygienist or dentist for procedures. Some treatments eligible for tax exemption include:
- Teeth Cleanings
- Fluoride Treatments
- Dental Sealants
- Fillings
- Braces
- Dentures
- Reimbursement for Prescription Medications
Exceptions and special rules may apply. For example, cosmetic procedures like teeth whitening, do not qualify. A cosmetic procedure would only qualify if it was necessary to improve a deformity arising from, or directly related to, a congenital abnormality, a personal injury resulting from an accident or trauma, or a disfiguring disease.
Travel Costs
You can deduct travel costs you incurred to receive dental care, which includes public transportation, ambulance services, parking fees, and tolls. For your car usage, you can either deduct the actual costs or a standard mileage rate for dental travel which changes year to year.
No Double Benefits
You cannot claim a deduction for a dental expense paid with Flexible Spending Arrangements or Health Savings Accounts because these plans are tax-free.
Use IRS Tools
If you are unsure about your dental expenses, use the Interactive Tax Assistant Tool on IRS.gov to help you determine if you can deduct. Read the IRS’s Publication 502 for even more information about claiming your dental expenses.
Doing your taxes is never fun, but being informed and using the available tools can help you get the most out of your refund. Contact our office if you have any questions and we’ll do our best to help!