"Delenn" <[email hidden]> wrote
Quoted message said:mjoann said:I believe that weight loss programs and expenses are now deductible as a
health expense, though.
[snip]
You may deduct any weight loss expenses except those for eating less and
exercising more.
Seriously. Health clubs memberships are excluded by law from being
deductible. Running shoes aren't deductible. I've never heard of
anyone getting a set of powerblocks deducted.
And food is not deductible under the premise that you would have eaten
anyway. The increased cost of leaner proteins and healthier fats and
non-junk carbs is not deductible.
But you can deduct any OTHER method of weight loss besides eating better
and exercising more.
That's interesting, I didn't know that. Not that I have any weight loss
expenses, more like fitness maintenance expenses (which generally fall under
the eating better and exercising more category), but I got to
thinking...what _would_ qualify?
I'm guessing maybe fees to join Jenny Craig or Weightwatchers (I'm assuming
there _are_ fees to join them), but not their special foods, right?
Or maybe if you got a weight-loss coach/counselor, that would be deductible?
So, would a personal trainer be deductible?
I mean, the weight loss coach would be telling you to eat less (and exercise
more). So the trainer would be telling you exercise this way (and eat
better). And the difference is...?
What other costs would be associated with weight loss that aren't
food/exercise? I guess if you had gastric bypass surgery (but there's a
reason gastric and drastic rhyme...sorta :-) that would qualify. What about
supplements people take (not food) like....ummm.... (not sure what they
are)....diet aids (little white pills?)....chitosan (although an excellent
water quality flocculant, it's main use apparently is in the diet industry
where it's supposed to flush fats or something like that)....what about diet
drinks like....errrr....those canned shakes that people drink instead of
eating?
Do they (they being the IRS, I guess) distinguish weight loss expenses for
people who need to lose weight to live (like the morbidly obese) versus
those who might just want to lose five pounds?
Selene
who would like to employ, and then deduct the expenses associated with, an
Oly lifting coach and would be willing to claim it was a weight loss aid
