Important Changes
Self-employed health insurance deduction rate in-
crease. For 1999, the rate increased from 45% to 60%.
Stop-smoking programs.
You can now include in
medical expenses amounts you pay for a program to
stop smoking. If you paid for a program in 1997 or 1998,
you may be able to file an amended return on Form
1040X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return,
to include in medical expenses the amounts you paid
for that stop-smoking program. However, you cannot
include in medical expenses amounts you pay for drugs
that do not require a prescription, such as nicotine gum
or patches, that are designed to help stop smoking.
Photographs of missing children. The Internal Rev-
enue Service is a proud partner with the National Cen-
ter for Missing and Exploited Children. Photographs of
missing children selected by the Center may appear in
this publication on pages that would otherwise be blank.
You can help bring these children home by looking at
the
photographs
and
calling
1800THELOST
(18008435678) if you recognize a child.
Important Reminder
Medical savings account. You may be able to make
deductible contributions to a medical savings account
(MSA). If you are an employee of a small business
(fewer than 50 employees), or self-employed and cov-
ered only by a high deductible health plan, you may be
eligible to have an MSA. You deduct MSA contributions
on Form 1040, line 25, not on Schedule A (Form 1040)
as a qualified medical expense. See Publication 969,
Medical Savings Accounts (MSAs), for more informa-
tion.
Introduction
This publication explains how to claim a deduction for
your medical and dental expenses. It contains an al-
phabetical list of items that you can or cannot include
in figuring your deduction. It also explains how to treat
insurance reimbursements and other reimbursements
you may receive for medical care.
See How To Get More Information near the end of
this publication for information about getting publica-
tions and forms.
What Form Is Used?
You figure your medical expense deduction on Sched-
ule A, Form 1040. You cannot claim medical expenses
on Form 1040A or Form 1040EZ.
An example of a
filled-in medical and dental expense part of Schedule
A is shown at the end of this publication.
Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service
Publication 502
Cat. No. 15002Q
Medical and
Dental
Expenses
For use in preparing
1999 Returns