Can plastic or cosmetic surgery be deducted as a standard medical tax deduction?

Question

i.e. tummy tucks, breast lifts, etc.

Answer 1

Although surgery that is PURELY cosmetic is not tax deductible, any surgery that corrects damage from disease or injury OR corrects a defect OR restores normal biological function IS deductible. That provides a LOT of wiggle room (pun optional) if given a bit of thought.

Keep in mind that obesity, for example, is medically considered a disease (and treatment for it is absolutely deductible) so any surgical correction once you've lost a lot of weight would also be deductible.

On top of that, there can be strong arguments from a mental health standpoint (if you have a mental condition listed in the DSM-IV that can be cured or improved upon with cosmetic surgery: BINGO!) for the deductibility of the procedure.

Your best bet is to discuss this frankly with your physician and maybe get a referral to a mental health professional as well to fully document your case along with the expected improvement in your overall health -- physically and mentally -- from the procedures. If the IRS questions the deduction and you go in with a well documented medical case you are MUCH more likely to walk out with your deduction intact.

Answer 2

If it is not medically necessary, you can not deduct it. Most of the time plastic/ cosmetic surgery is an elective surgery and does not qualify. If your doctor deems it necessary for the surgery and fills out the correct forms, they can be covered by insurance and deducted (gastric bypass, breast reduction to reduce back pain...), check with your doctor and your accountant/ tax preparer.

Answer 3

Surgery for purely cosmetic reasons is NOT deductible. See IRS publication 502 - download at irs.gov

Answer 4

ONLY...if you are in the adult entertainment type of business and you own your own company where "botox" or "boob jobs" are considered "business expenses"

for example: I own a carpet cleaning company...i deduct mileage (it is an expense)

So: a webcam model could probably get away with deducting brazillian waxing...or restalyne treatments.......get it?

Answer 5

If it is elective surgery: No.