Get
100% Reimbursement for your Weight Loss
and/or Smoking Cessation Hypnosis Treatment Programs
with an I.R.S. Tax Credit *
Tax laws passed mean you can get a tax credit that reimburses you 100% for
money paid for smoking programs . You can also be reimbursed 100%
for weight loss programs if you were advised by a physician to lose weight.
This is a tax credit - not a tax deduction, so that means 100% credit on your
taxes!
The information below is quoted from pages 12 and 15 of IRS Publication 502
year 2003.
Stop-Smoking Programs
You can include in medical expenses amounts you pay for a program to stop
smoking. However, you cannot include in medical expenses amounts you pay
for drugs that do not require a prescription, such as nicotine gum or patches
that are designed to help stop smoking.
Weight-Loss Programs
You can include in medical expenses amounts you pay to lose weight if it is a
treatment for a specific disease diagnosed by a physician (such as obesity,
hypertension, diabetes or heart disease). This includes fees you pay for
membership in a weight reduction group and attendance at periodic meetings.
You cannot include membership dues in a gym, health club, or spa as medical
expenses, but you can include separate fees charged there for weight loss
activities.
How to Report
To claim the credit, complete Form 8885, Health Coverage Tax Credit, and attach
it to your Form 1040 or Form 1040NR. Report the credit on Form 1040, line
67, or Form 1040NR, line 62, and check box c. You cannot claim the credit
on Form 1040A or Form 1040EZ.
You must attach invoices and proof of payment for any amounts you include on
line 2 of Form 8885 for which you did not receive an advance payment. If
you file your return electronically, attach the invoices and proof of payment to
your Form 8453. Proof of payment may include a pay stub if insurance is
through a spouse's employment, a bank check, or bank statement for
premiums that are automatically deducted from your account.
If you claim this credit, you cannot take the same expenses that you use to
figure your health coverage tax credit into account in determining your:
· Medical
and dental expenses on Schedule A (Form 1040)
· Self-employed
health insurance deduction, or
· Archer
Medical Savings Account (MSA) distributions.
* Check with your tax
advisor
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