Medical Expense Tax Deduction Calculator
See if itemizing your medical expenses saves you money
Had a big medical year? Under IRC §213, you can deduct medical expenses that exceed 7.5% of your Adjusted Gross Income — but only if itemizing beats your standard deduction.
Premiums, procedures, Rx, dental, vision, mileage
SALT, mortgage interest, charity, etc.
Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute tax, legal, financial, or medical advice. Results depend on individual circumstances and may not reflect your actual costs. Always consult a qualified professional (CPA, licensed insurance agent, or financial advisor) for decisions about your specific situation. Data reflects approximate 2026 figures from IRS, CMS, and HHS sources.
How the Medical Expense Deduction Works
Under IRC Section 213, you can deduct unreimbursed medical and dental expenses that exceed 7.5% of your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI). This deduction only benefits you if your total itemized deductions — including the deductible medical amount — exceed the standard deduction for your filing status.
This means the medical expense deduction typically only helps in 'catastrophic' medical years — major surgery, chronic illness treatment, or years with significant dental/vision work. The 2026 standard deduction is approximately $15,700 for single filers and $31,400 for married filing jointly.
Sources: IRS, CMS, HHS, KFF, Healthcare.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
What medical expenses are tax-deductible?
Deductible expenses include health insurance premiums (if not pre-tax), doctor and hospital bills, prescription medications, dental and vision care, mental health services, medical equipment, and medical travel (at the IRS medical mileage rate). Cosmetic procedures, gym memberships, and over-the-counter medicines (with exceptions) are generally not deductible.
What is the 7.5% AGI threshold?
You can only deduct medical expenses that exceed 7.5% of your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI). For example, with an AGI of $80,000, only expenses above $6,000 (7.5% × $80,000) are potentially deductible — and only if your total itemized deductions exceed the standard deduction.