Cosmetic Surg - tax deductible? - Cosmetic / Plastic Surgery Message Board

merlynne12 · 04-29-2002, 10:11 AM

(Did I get your attention?

I was reading through my tax book, and apparently you can write off medical/dental expenses if it makes up 7.5 percent or more of your adjusted gross income. This includes dr. visits, prescriptions, dental, vision, etc....

Does anyone know if cosmetic surgery is something you can deduct? Especially if a Dr. suggested it? (ie, my derm. suggested I get a laser resurfacing for scarring).

Thanks!

04-29-2002, 10:01 PM

Cosmetic surgery is not tax deductible, except under certain conditions. Congenital deformities (abnormalities someone is born with, such as "cleft palate") are often covered; conditions due to diseases, such as breast agumentation after breast cancer surgery; or breast reduction with well-documented doctor's records and long-standing pain from large breasts (even those have to weigh 15 pounds in order to be covered by insurance!). I'm sure there are other conditions not mentioned here, and these are just examples. I can assure you, however, that laser surgery recommended by a dermatologist would never be tax deductible, sorry to say. If you had a disease which caused an abnormality, you'd have a chance at claiming it.

VegasGirl · 04-30-2002, 01:10 PM

I am a full time model, so my cosmetic surgery is tax deductible. I have model friends who have written off their's too. If you do it to enhance your career, it's a tax write off. I have heard exotic dancers can write their's off as well, for the same reason.

merlynne12 · 04-30-2002, 01:13 PM

Hm....maybe I should change professions.

Thanks everyone for your responses!

Geneva · 05-01-2002, 08:43 AM

I had a breast augmentation done over 25 years ago. I wrote it off not knowing there was any reason not to.
It was a medical procedure done by a doctor. I was not a model....just flat chested!!! Anyway I was audited.
I showed them the receipts from the doctor and they did not ask WHY I had this done...I was not penalized and they allowed the deduction.