Weight loss programs are now tax deductible!!!!

[Guest guest]

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:

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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.

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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