Re: Weight loss programs are now tax deductible!!!!

[Guest guest]

Thank you Connie G. for sharing the article about the IRS finally accepting

WL therapies as a tax deduction. This really is a boon!

Janice in Texas

Weight loss programs are now tax deductible!!!!

> I just received my quarterly newsletter from the American Obesity

> Association. On the front page is an article entitled " AOA Successful in

> Making Weight Loss Programs Tax Deductible " .

>

> This is fantastic news.....especially for all you self-payers! Even if

> you're not a self-pay, your extra out-of-pocket expenses may be tax

> deductible. Following is the exact article, in it's entirety:

>

> ___________________________________________________

>

> This tax year (2000) marks the first time taxpayers can deduct the cost of

> weight loss programs as a medical expense. The AOA successfully lobbied

the

> IRS to revise its policy to give tax relief to many indivicuals who pay

> out-of-pocket for weight loss programs.

>

> " Treatment for weight loss has been ignored for too long, " said AOA

President

> Atkinson, M.D. The IRS states in its new policy that " you can

> include in medical expenses the cost of a weight-loss program undertaken

at a

> physician's direction to treat an existing disease (such as heart

disease).

> But you cannot include the cost of a weight-loss program if the purpose of

> the weight control is to maintain your general good health. "

>

> The AOA led a coalition of nine other organizations that petitioned the

IRS

> to allow for weight loss treatment deduction. The AOA also submitted

> substantial evidence indicating that obesity is a disease, and that weight

> loss by an obese person prevents the onset of disease.

>

> " The new IRS policy will provide much needed assistance to individuals and

> families faced with devastating medical bills incurred from treating

> conditions that can be alleviated with weight loss, " said AOA Executive

> Director Downey. " The policy change, which appears in the IRS

> Publication 502, would assist taxpayers who itemize medical deductions or

> employees who have a medical savings account (MSA) or a flexible savings

> account (FSA) with their employer. "

>

> Treatment for weight loss includes behavioral counseling, nutritional

> counseling, pharmacology, and surgery. " Items such as health club dues,

> over-the-counter products, and nutritional supplements would not be

> included, " said Downy. " Receiving direction from a knowledgeable

physician

> on the appropriate treatment or combination of treatments is important for

> comprehensive, successful treatment, " added Atkinson.

>

> Medical expenses are tax deductible if they amount to more than 7.5

percent

> of a taxpayer's adjusted gross income. The AOA has produced a document to

> help taxpayers understand the new policy, titled, " A Taxpayer's Guide on

IRS

> Policy to Deduct Weight Control Treatment. " It is available on the AOA's

web

> site, www.obesity.org/taxguide.htm.

> ___________________________________________________________

>

> There is additional information about this article and about the AOA at

the

> AOA's main page, which is at www.obesity.org.

>

> Connie G. in IL

> Revision from VBG to BPD/DS on 2/6/01

> Dr. Maguire in Kettering, OH

> Approved through BCBS of IL

> Starting weight: 420 lbs.

> Current weight: 362 lbs.....Finally BELOW my lowest VBG weight!!!! (By

one

> pound...I'm out of the red!!!!)

> Down 58 lbs. in 11 weeks

>

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