If you pay premiums for Medicare health insurance, you may be able to combine them with other qualifying expenses and claim them as an itemized deduction for medical expenses on your tax return. This includes amounts for “Medigap” insurance and Medicare Advantage plans, which cover some costs that Medicare Parts A and B don’t cover.

Is it Necessary to Itemize?

Generally, you can deduct medical expenses only if you itemize deductions and only to the extent that total qualifying health care expenses exceeded 7.5% of your adjusted gross income. But, if you’re self-employed people or a shareholder-employees of an S corporation, you can generally claim an above-the-line deduction for your health insurance premiums, including Medicare premiums. That means you don’t need to itemize deductions to get the tax savings.

Need Help?

Contact the Lahrmer office at (216) 393-1954 or office@lahrmercpa.com with questions about claiming medical expense deductions on your personal tax return. Also, be sure to ask for help identifying an optimal overall tax-planning strategy based on your personal circumstances.