Discussion:Homeopathic medical deductions?
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| See [http://www.irs.gov/publications/p502/ar02.html#en_US_publink100014783]}} | See [http://www.irs.gov/publications/p502/ar02.html#en_US_publink100014783]}} | ||
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| + | {{ForumReplyPost|UserID=TTMM|Date=24 December 2008|Text=I have clients that use Homeopaths. I follow the basic rules for medical expenses. Is the procedure for a specific illness. Is the medicine for a specific illness. If the item is for general health, I don't deduct it. | ||
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| + | Sometimes its difficult to determine if its for general health or the specific illness. My experience is that the general health procedures go hand in hand with the treatment for the specific illness as the homeopathic doctor is treating chemical or mineral imbalances etc as part of the treatment for the ailment, whereas the regular doctors just treat the illness. I also am skeptical of those that treat acne, smoking, or weight loss. You need to really interview the client as to the treatment they are receiving.}} | ||
Revision as of 19:58, 24 December 2008
Discussion Forum Index --> Tax Questions --> Homeopathic medical deductions?
| 24 December 2008 | |
| I have a client that wants to deduct "Homeopathic" doctor visits and "prescriptions." I am very skeptical about this as it sounds like a New-age thing. However, I cannot find so much as a mention of this anywhere - either to deny or allow this. Anyone run across this and with what authority would I document my files? | |
| 24 December 2008 | |
| Scott, homeopathy is not new by any means. It predates what we know as standard medicine today. Homeopathy is making a comeback of sorts.
I think there are a handful of states that will license homeopaths. If your client lives in such a state, I don't see why this would not be deductible. Also, in some cases, an MD or DO will offer homeopathy as an additional therapy, and of course, that would be deductible. In my state, we do not license homeopaths as far as I know, however, we do have some practicing homeopaths that people pay out of pocket etc. I would not deduct for citizens of my state. P.S. I have not searched any court decisions regarding the deductibility of homeopathy, if there any to be found. | |
| 24 December 2008 | |
| I hoped this case would help, but a close reading shows it really doesn't answer to the question.
http://www.legalbitstream.com/scripts/isyswebext.dll?op=get&uri=/isysquery/irl2a28/1/doc In this case, the court allowed the taxpayer to deduct as medical expenses fees paid to an acupuncturist who also recommended homeopathic treatment. Since the acupuncture and the homeopathic treatments were entwined, it's not clear from this decision whether the homeopathy alone would have been deductible. A strict reading of the decision suggests acupunture, yes, but homeopathy, who knows? I guess what I'm saying is, this response is just wasting your time so I'll end here. Sorry. | |
| 24 December 2008 | |
| Courts have approved deductions for Naturopathy; so, why not Homeopathy? | |
| 24 December 2008 | |
| As far as I know, it's definitely deductible under a Section 105 or 125. According to Pub 502, homeopathy is not listed in includable medical expenses for deduction under Schedule A.
See [1] | |
| 24 December 2008 | |
| I have clients that use Homeopaths. I follow the basic rules for medical expenses. Is the procedure for a specific illness. Is the medicine for a specific illness. If the item is for general health, I don't deduct it.
Sometimes its difficult to determine if its for general health or the specific illness. My experience is that the general health procedures go hand in hand with the treatment for the specific illness as the homeopathic doctor is treating chemical or mineral imbalances etc as part of the treatment for the ailment, whereas the regular doctors just treat the illness. I also am skeptical of those that treat acne, smoking, or weight loss. You need to really interview the client as to the treatment they are receiving. | |
