WASHINGTON DC, December 10, 2009 -- Getting Lasik
before the end of the year may allow the cost to be deducted as
a medical expense from 2009 income taxes.
Lasik is approved by the US Internal Revenue Service as a
deductible medical expense [§ 213(d)(9)], however medical
expenses cannot be deducted unless they are 7.5 percent of the
taxpayer's adjustable gross
income. Lasik's average cost of $1,400 to $2,500 per eye when
added to current 2009 out-of-pocket medical expenses may
help the taxpayer meet the 7.5 percent threshold.
A lower than usual income in 2009 may be used to the
taxpayer's advantage because the deductibility of medical
expenses is based on a percentage of the adjusted gross income,
rather than a fixed amount.
A lower income automatically lowers the medical
expense threshold.
If a higher income is expected next year and Lasik will take
the taxpayer over the 7.5 percent
threshold this year, but not next, consider getting Lasik before
the end of 2009.
