How to Deduct Medical Miles on Your Taxes

Deduct medical miles on your form 1040.

Many medical care consumers don't realize that they can deduct the cost of medical miles -- the miles driven to and from medical appointments and to pharmacies to pick up prescription medications -- on federal taxes. The Internal Revenue Service allows taxpayers to get a break on takes when you itemize and spend more than 7.5 percent of your adjusted gross income on medical expenses, as long as you track the miles driven for medical purposes and report them on your taxes.

Instructions

1. Keep a mileage log all year. Document the amount of miles you drive to go to doctor's appointments, pick up prescriptions at the pharmacy, buy over-the-counter medications, purchase or pick up medical equipment, or travel for any other medical purpose.

2. Cross-check your calendar with your mileage log. Make sure you have documented all of your medical-related trips. You might find medical appointments on your calendar that you forgot to log in your mileage book.

3. Add the total number of miles you drove for medical purposes.

4. Multiply the number of medical miles driven by 16.5 cents or the current year's IRS milage deduction. Deduct this amount as part of your Schedule A itemization on your taxes.

Tips & Warnings

• Unless your total medical expenses are over 7.5 percent of your adjusted gross income, you cannot deduct medical miles.

References

• IRS: Standard Mileage Rate
• IRS: Publication 502