Does anyone know if orthodontics is included for medical expenses???

If it IS included, how do you figure it when you pay XXX per month, and don't pay it all in one year??? Can I claim it in the year I make the last payment , for the whole amt??

thanks.

__________________
Doing the right thing isn't always the same as doing the easy thing.

We were able to claim itemized medical the last two years. Dental, glasses, and any other medical expense can be claimed. That includes copays for doctors and prescriptions, out of pocket costs, and monthly premiums. It is a certain percent of your income. Most people don't reach that percent but if you have had an illness or cancer, bills can add up quickly. It has to be what you paid in that year. I have kept receipts for everything. This year I had a dislocated jaw from a root canal. $750 out of my pocket to fix (insurance paid $250 because the only doctor that could help me was out of network). Plus the root canal and crown. I will easily have $1,500 just for this one tooth to claim.

It's 7.5% of your Adjusted Gross Income for medical expenses.

Thanks everyone

__________________
Doing the right thing isn't always the same as doing the easy thing.

My understanding was that it's anything OVER 7.5%, but that may have changed. I thought you were on the hook and taxable for that first 7.5%, but if, say, you spent 10% of your income on medical care, you could deduct that 2.5%.

We claimed $2,000 this year through my husband's employer-offered Cafeteria Plan / Flex Plan program. Basically, over a 12 month period (Dec. 1 - Nov. 30 is when their plan year runs) we'll have had $2,000 held out of his checks. We can tap the full amount at any time, and at this point have actually spent the full $2,000, even though we have not fully contributed it yet. It's basically a medical savings account that is not taxed and that money won't show up on his W2. We also have his percentage of our Blue Cross premiums (that his employer doesn't cover) directed through his Flex account. That adds up to about $5,000/year, so all in all, $7K of DH's income doesn't show up on his W-2 because it goes through the Flex system and straight to any medical expenses (ins. premiums or deductibles or co-pays or even aspirin) we have. We have a debit card tied to the $2,000, and just use it to pay medical bills. Anything we don't use is lost and forfeited to his employer, so you don't want to sandbag your Flex account! Sadly, this year we could have easily claimed $3,000 and not used it all.

How do you get your premiums paid via your FSA? I haven't heard that my employer does this..Would be great if they did..