Which of the following is NOT considered a tax-deductible medical expense under IRS rules?

Which of the following is NOT considered a tax-deductible medical expense under IRS rules?

• A. Long-term care insurance premiums
• B. Cosmetic surgery expenses
• C. Out-of-pocket prescription costs
• D. Health insurance premiums

Answer: (B)

Cosmetic surgery expenses are not considered tax-deductible medical expenses under IRS rules because they are typically categorized as elective procedures rather than medically necessary treatments. According to IRS guidelines, for a medical expense to be tax-deductible, it generally must be necessary to treat a medical condition or for the improvement of a physical function. Since cosmetic surgery does not fall into these categories, it cannot qualify for a deduction. In contrast, long-term care insurance premiums, out-of-pocket prescription costs, and health insurance premiums do qualify as tax-deductible medical expenses to certain limits, reflecting their necessity in managing health care costs. Thus, this distinction is crucial for understanding which medical expenses can be deducted when filing taxes.

Cosmetic surgery expenses are not considered tax-deductible medical expenses under IRS rules because they are typically categorized as elective procedures rather than medically necessary treatments. According to IRS guidelines, for a medical expense to be tax-deductible, it generally must be necessary to treat a medical condition or for the improvement of a physical function. Since cosmetic surgery does not fall into these categories, it cannot qualify for a deduction.

In contrast, long-term care insurance premiums, out-of-pocket prescription costs, and health insurance premiums do qualify as tax-deductible medical expenses to certain limits, reflecting their necessity in managing health care costs. Thus, this distinction is crucial for understanding which medical expenses can be deducted when filing taxes.