We are thrilled to announce that Prestige Accounting Services Group (previously Prestige Wealth Accounting Group) has joined forces with Bacchetta & Company in an exciting new partnership!

Medical Deductions & The New Tax Law

Article Highlights:

  • Medical Deductions Retained by the Tax Reform Law 
  • Adjusted Gross Income Floor Dropped to 7.5% 
  • The Standard Deduction 
  • Bunching Medical Deductions
  • Unusual Medical Deductions 
  • Medical Dependents 
  • Divorced Parents 
Note: The is one of a series of articles explaining how the various tax changes in the GOP’s Tax Cuts & Jobs Act (referred to as “the Act” in this article), which passed in late December of 2017, could affect you and your family, both in 2018 and future years. This series offers strategies that you can employ to reduce your tax liability under the new law.

The Act’s final version retained the itemized deduction for medical expenses even though the original House version would have done away with this deduction altogether.

The medical deduction was not just retained; its adjusted gross income (AGI) floor was lowered from 10% to 7.5% for 2017 and 2018 (after which it returns to 10%). The AGI floor is meant to eliminate deductions for minor medical costs by only allowing those that are in excess of the given percentage of your AGI.

Example: You have wages of $100,000 for 2018 and no other income, losses, or adjustments, so your AGI for the year is $100,000. In this case, for the year, the first $7,500 (7.5% of $100,000) of your otherwise deductible medical expenses is not deductible. Thus, if you have $8,000 of medical expenses, only $500 ($8,000 – $7,500) is deductible. If you have the same amount of income and medical expenses in 2019, none of your medical costs will be deductible because of the 10% floor; 10% of a $100,000 AGI is $10,000, which is greater than the $8,000 of medical expenses. Of course, there’s always a chance that Congress will extend the reduced 7.5% floor beyond 2018, but you shouldn’t count on it. 

Here is where it gets a little complicated. Because medical deductions are itemized, to get any benefit from them, your itemized deductions must exceed the new standard deduction, which is $24,000 for a married couple filing jointly (or for a surviving spouse with a dependent child), $18,000 for a head of household, and $12,000 for anyone else.

Retaining the medical deduction is a necessary for the families of disabled individuals and for senior citizens who require extraordinary care. Without this deduction, those groups could have been saddled with enormous medical costs without any tax relief. However, this deduction is not just for disabled individuals, senior citizens, and their families. Regarding medical bills, you never know what will happen in the future.

Bunching Deductions – One strategy that works well for itemized deductions is to bunch deductions. That means paying as much of your medical expenses as possible in a single year so that the total will exceed the AGI floor and so that your overall itemized deductions will exceed the standard deduction.

Example: Your child is having orthodontic work that will cost a total of $12,000, and the dentist offers a payment plan. If you pay in installments, you will spread the payments out over several years and may not exceed the medical AGI floor in any given year. However, by paying all at once, you will exceed the floor and get a medical deduction. 

Being Aware of Medical Deductions – Being aware of what is and is not deductible as a medical expense can also help you to maximize your medical deductions. Unreimbursed costs such as those from doctors, dentists, hospitals, and medical insurance premiums are deductible. The following is a list of some deductible medical expenses that you may not be aware of:
  • Adoptive children’s pre-adoption medical costs 
  • Prescriptions for birth control pills 
  • Chiropractors 
  • Christian Science practitioners 
  • Decedent’s medical costs 
  • Adult diapers 
  • Drug-addiction rehabilitation costs 
  • Egg-donation expenses 
  • Elderly devices 
  • Medical equipment and supplies 
  • Fertility enhancements 
  • Guide dogs 
  • Household nursing services 
  • Impairment-related home modifications 
  • In vitro fertilization costs 
  • Lactation aids 
  • Lead-based paint removal 
  • Learning-disability tuition expenses 
  • Medical-related legal fees 
  • Meals from inpatient care 
  • Medical-conference expenses 
  • Medicare premiums 
  • Nonhospital institution costs 
  • Nursing-home expenses 
  • Organ-donation costs 
  • Smoking-cessation programs
  • Sterilization expenses 
  • Weight-loss programs (limited) 
Some of the foregoing have special requirements, so please call if you have any questions.

Under certain circumstances, you may even be able to deduct the medical expenses that you pay for others.

Medical dependents – This applies only if you had a dependent (a qualified child or other relative) either at the time the medical services were provided or at the time the expenses were paid. For medical purposes, an individual can be a dependent even if his or her gross income precludes qualification as a dependent.

Divorced parents – A child of divorced parents is considered a dependent of both parents for the purpose of medical expense, so each parent can deduct the medical expenses that he or she pays for the child.

If you have questions related to the deductibility of specific medical expenses or about how such deductions apply to your tax situation, please give this office a call.



Share this article...

More About Us

Get to Know Prestige Accounting Services Group (previously Prestige Wealth Accounting Group)


Offices in Flemington, NJ and Califon, NJ

Our Mission: At Prestige Accounting Services Group (previously Prestige Wealth Accounting Group), we are on a mission to redefine the tax experience for individuals and small businesses. With a focus on personalized service, strategic planning, and expert guidance, we aim to empower our clients to succeed financially with confidence and ease.

Expertise in Action: With a wealth of experience and a team of dedicated professionals, we specialize in individual and small business tax preparation. While we excel in all areas of taxation, our passion lies in serving the unique needs of small business owners in New Jersey. We understand that small business taxation requires specialized knowledge and attention to detail, which is why we go above and beyond to ensure our clients receive the guidance and support they deserve.

Tailored Solutions for Every Client: Whether you're a high-net-worth individual seeking comprehensive tax planning or a small business owner in need of accounting and bookkeeping assistance, we have the expertise to meet your needs. Our team takes the time to understand your specific situation and develop customized solutions that align with your goals and objectives.

Why Choose Us?: What sets us apart from other New Jersey tax firms is our commitment to excellence and innovation in the field of taxation. We don't just prepare tax returns; we provide strategic insights, proactive planning, and actionable advice to help our clients achieve their financial goals. With a team of two CPAs, an EA, and an ERO, we have the expertise and resources to deliver exceptional service and results.

Your Success is Our Priority: At Prestige Accounting Services Group (previously Prestige Wealth Accounting Group), we measure our success by the success of our clients. We are dedicated to building long-lasting relationships, providing unparalleled service, and helping our clients thrive in today's ever-changing tax landscape.

We can't wait for you to experience the Prestige Accounting Services Group (previously Prestige Wealth Accounting Group) difference.

Tax & Small Business Updates

Get the latest in tax and small business updates and issues that affect your finances and growth prospects.

I confirm this is a service inquiry and not an advertising message or solicitation. By clicking “Submit”, I acknowledge and agree to the creation of an account and to the and .

Flemington Office

Looking for tax help in Flemington, NJ? You can find us at:

Millburn Office

Looking for tax help in Millburn, NJ? You can find us at:

Califon Office