Patients Beyond Borders: Monterrey, Mexico Edition

Your Medical trip May Be tax-deductible
PAtients Beyond Borders BUdgEt PlannER
Depending on the country you live in, your medical travel expenses may
be tax-deductible. In the US, for example, depending on your income level
and treatment cost, some or most of your health journey can be itemized
as a deduction from your adjusted gross income. If the total amounts to
more than 7.5 percent of adjusted gross income, the Internal Revenue Service
(IRS) allows US citizens to deduct the remainder of those expenses.
Examples of typical tax-deductible items include
• any treatment normally covered by a health insurance plan
• transportation expenses, including air, train, boat, or road travel
• lodging and meals for duration of treatment
• recovery hotels, surgical retreats, and recuperation resorts
If you are planning to take a tax deduction, ask for letters and other
documentation from your in-country healthcare provider, particularly
any recommendations made for outside lodging, special diets, and other
services. For more information, US citizens can go to irs.gov or call 1 800
829.1040. Medical travelers from other countries should check their government’s
tax policies. It’s always a good idea to consult a competent tax
advisor with questions or concerns.
Monterrey, Mexico Edition 17