Tax Deduction Guide for Gluten-Free Products and special diets due to medical needs. - Updated to reflect the the latest tax code for medical deductions
If you or your child has Celiac Disease or another medical diagnosis requiring a special diet, don't forget to talk to your accountant about deducting the extra expenses related to gluten-free products or other specially-purchased items.
Currently, filers can deduct total qualified unreimbursed medical care expenses that exceed 7.5% of their adjusted gross income if they itemize their deductions.
Get more general information about the medical deduction in this article from Turbo Tax.
The IRS allows you to deduct qualified medical expenses that exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income for 2017 and 2018. The code was revised starting Jan. 1, 2019, when all taxpayers could deduct only the amount of the total unreimbursed allowable medical care expenses for the year if they exceeded 10% of their adjusted gross income. The code was revised again for 2020 and 2021 tax years to 7.5% adjusted gross income.
Which Expenses Can I Deduct for a Gluten-Free Diet?
If your total medical expenses for the year meet the required percentage of your adjusted gross income, you may be able to deduct the difference in cost between “regular” food products and gluten-free alternatives, as well as the total cost of items that would not be purchased at all if not for the gluten-free diet (such as xanthan gum or sorghum flour, for example), and shipping costs. When looking at total medical expenses, be sure to include doctor and Rx co-pays, insurance, dental, medical mileage and other expenses that could be used. Be sure to consult a tax professional about your tax deductions for Celiac Disease costs and tax write-offs for a gluten free diet or other medically necessary diet.
From the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (Beyond Celiac): Individuals diagnosed with Celiac Disease may be able to receive tax deductions for expenses associated with gluten-free foods and products. However, there are a few catches to obtaining them.
Tips to help you through the procedures and paperwork for special diet tax deductions:
Step 1: Get A Doctor’s NoteFill out form 1040 schedule A for medical deductions.Refer to:
- IRS Publication 502
- Revenue Rulings: 55-261, 2002-19 and 67 TC 481
- Cohen 38 TC 387
- Flemming TC MEMO 1980 583
- Van Kalb TC MEMO 1978 366
Feel free to cite these references in your tax paperwork.
Nay Sprague says
Thanks for posting this. My Dad was Celiac Disease 10 years ago and it has been a struggle to not only find gluten-free food, but to be able to afford it as well. I'm definitely going to tell my folks about this info.
Jen H says
I tried this last year for my children who are both gluten & dairy-free. I deducted the additional food cost, mileage to their therapies, etc. and still came out better taking the standard deduction. It was a waste of many hours of tracking mileage and food costs in excel. Unless you have a lot of medical bills, it's probably easiest to just take the standard deduction and still come out ahead of itemizing these thing.
marie baker says
This is great!
Tracy M. says
My mom is celiac and I am gluten-intolerant. Can this be used for gluten-intolerance as well? Thanks!
G-Free Foodie says
As long as there is a doctor's diagnosis, yes.
Natalie says
such an very helpful information! thanks for sharing 🙂