Tax Deductible Massages
Medical expenses can take a bite out of your budget in any year. But for those that use massage for legitimate pain relief, many taxpayers want to know: Are medical massages tax deductible? Fortunately, if you have medical bills that aren’t fully covered by your insurance, you may be able to take a deduction for those to reduce your tax bill.
The IRS allows you to deduct unreimbursed expenses for preventative care and treatment as qualifying medical expenses. You can also deduct unreimbursed expenses for visits to massage therapy establishments that focus on rehabilitation or clinics. Unreimbursed payments for massage therapy for muscle injuries, neurological issues which are alleviated by manual therapy such as an impinged nerve may also be deductible.
The IRS also lets you deduct the expenses that you pay to travel for medical massage, such as mileage on your car, ride share and parking fees.
The deduction value for medical expenses varies because the amount changes based on your income. In 2022, the IRS allows all taxpayers to deduct their total qualified unreimbursed medical care expenses that exceed 7.5% of their adjusted gross income if the taxpayer uses IRS schedule A to itemize their deductions.
You can read in depth about what qualifies as a medical expense on the IRS website here.
“Medical care expenses include payments for the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease, or payments for treatments affecting any structure or function of the body.
Deductible medical expenses may include but aren’t limited to the following:
- Payments of fees to doctors, dentists, surgeons, chiropractors, psychiatrists, psychologists, and nontraditional medical practitioners.” -IRS.gov
Licensed massage therapists may fall under the title of non-traditional medical practitioners specifically in the state of Florida where they are governed and licensed under the Board of Massage Therapy and Florida Department of Health.
Common Musculoskeletal Disorders
- Tendonitis
- arthritis
- carpal tunnel syndrome
- Fibromyalgia
Mental Health Aide
- Anxiety
- Panic Attacks
- Depression
That’s right, if your doctor has prescribed massage therapy as a way to heal from trauma, a nervous breakdown or any hospitalization from an overstimulated nervous system you may qualify using massage as a medical expense.
Ask Your Doctor
Prior to filing your taxes call your doctor office and let them know that you’ve been treating a specific condition with massage therapy and the dates. The office may call the massage therapy clinic, office or therapist to verify this out-of-pocket expense. Once it is done, then you have a prescription for the treatments. Most people don’t consider asking their doctor for a massage therapy prescription but it can be done! If your doctor is hesitant then share if you have experience positive results from massage regarding the specific pain. Ideally, you would have attained a prescription at the start of the injury but this may be an option as well.
A deduction reduces the amount of your income that is subject to tax. As a result, medical expense deductions can lower the amount of tax you have to pay. You may qualify for a medical expense deduction based on your proof of medical necessity with a proper diagnosis. “Medically necessary” is defined as health care services (such as a licensed massage therapist) treat an illness, injury, condition, disease, or its symptoms. Mostly massage therapy is an out-of-pocket cost. These sessions are medical care expenses that are often not covered by your health insurance plan. Unfortunately, massage therapy is still considered an alternative treatment, and insurance companies often won’t cover these types of treatment outright. Fortunately, you don’t need your insurance company’s approval to seek treatment with massage. It is your choice where you get help with your body and as long as you have your doctor’s support, you may deduct massage as a legitimate medical expense.
