Can I Deduct Chiropractic Expenses On My Taxes ? + FAQs

If you’ve been paying out-of-pocket for chiropractic care, you might be wondering if those back-cracking bills can trim your tax bill. The good news: Yes, chiropractic expenses can be tax deductible as medical expenses. However, there are specific IRS rules, thresholds, and methods to understand before you claim them. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know – from federal IRS guidelines to state-by-state nuances (California, New York, Texas), and even alternative ways like HSAs/FSAs to get tax benefits. We’ll also weigh the pros and cons, look at real-life scenarios, and answer FAQs in plain English. By the end, you’ll know exactly when and how to deduct chiropractic costs on your taxes (and when you can’t). Let’s dive into the details so you don’t leave money on the table with your spine care!

Chiropractic Expenses and IRS Rules: Are They Deductible?

Absolutely – the IRS considers chiropractic treatments a form of medical care. Under federal tax law, money you pay to a licensed chiropractor for treatment qualifies as a medical expense for tax purposes. This falls under the umbrella of “medical and dental expenses” that you can potentially deduct on your income tax return. But before you start gathering all your chiropractor receipts, it’s crucial to understand IRS requirements and limitations that determine if you can actually benefit from the deduction.

IRS Publication 502 and Qualified Medical Expenses (Chiropractic Included)

The IRS defines qualified medical expenses as the costs of diagnosing, curing, treating, or preventing disease, and the costs for treatments affecting any part or function of the body. In simpler terms, these are expenses for care that is medically necessary to address a health condition. Chiropractic care generally meets this definition because it’s aimed at treating issues like back pain, neck pain, headaches, spinal conditions, and other ailments by affecting the structure and function of the body. The IRS explicitly lists chiropractor fees as deductible medical expenses in its guidelines (see IRS Publication 502, which is the go-to document for medical expense rules).

Chiropractic Treatments: Payments you make to your chiropractor for exams, adjustments, X-rays, or therapeutic services are considered qualified medical expenses. The care should be for a specific medical condition or for maintaining proper body function (for example, treating chronic back pain or recovering from an injury). There’s no requirement that you have a doctor’s referral; visiting a chiropractor on your own for a health concern still counts.

Medical Necessity: Generally, as long as the chiropractic treatment is intended to relieve or prevent a physical or mental defect or illness, it is deemed medically necessary. This means you can’t deduct purely elective or cosmetic services unrelated to health. (Fortunately, chiropractic care is rarely cosmetic – it’s nearly always about pain relief or health improvement.) You also can’t deduct general wellness expenses like vitamins or massage sessions unless they are prescribed by a medical professional to treat a specific condition. In the context of chiropractic, a therapeutic massage or ergonomic device recommended by your chiropractor might be deductible if it’s part of treating a diagnosed medical issue – but a spa massage for relaxation or a new mattress for better sleep would not qualify. Always tie the expense to a health need.

Licensed Practitioner: One important factor is that the care should be provided by a qualified, licensed chiropractor. All 50 states and DC license chiropractors (with oversight by state chiropractic boards such as the California Board of Chiropractic Examiners or the New York State Board for Chiropractic). As long as you’re seeing a licensed chiropractor, the IRS will recognize the expense as legitimate medical care. You do not need the chiropractor to be an M.D. or to have an MD’s supervision – chiropractors are recognized as independent health care providers. In fact, even alternative treatments or integrative therapies provided for a medical condition can be deductible (Tax Court rulings have upheld that treatments don’t need to be “mainstream” if they are for healing a specific condition). The key is that you paid for health-related treatment from a professional, and it wasn’t reimbursed by insurance.

Key point: Chiropractic expenses are treated just like doctor visits or other medical bills for tax purposes. They are part of the broader category of medical expenses. This means you can only get a tax benefit if you meet certain conditions, which we’ll explain next. Simply spending money on a chiropractor doesn’t automatically reduce your taxes – you have to qualify under the IRS rules to actually deduct those costs. The most important rule is the 7.5% of AGI threshold and the requirement to itemize deductions.

Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) and the 7.5% Threshold for Medical Deductions

The IRS doesn’t let you deduct every dollar you spend on medical care – only excessive medical expenses are deductible. “Excessive” in IRS terms means the portion of your medical costs that exceeds 7.5% of your adjusted gross income (AGI) for the year. Your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) is basically your total income (wages, self-employment, investments, etc.) minus certain adjustments (like IRA contributions, student loan interest, and a few other items). It’s the number found on your tax return before either standard or itemized deductions.

How the 7.5% rule works: You sum up all your qualified medical expenses for the year – this includes chiropractic bills and any other out-of-pocket medical, dental, vision, etc. – and then subtract 7.5% of your AGI. You can deduct only the remainder (if any) as an itemized deduction. If 7.5% of your AGI is more than your total medical expenses, you get no deduction for those expenses.

Example: Suppose your AGI is $80,000. Seven and a half percent of that is $6,000. If in 2025 you paid a chiropractor $2,000 and also had other medical expenses like $1,000 in dental bills and $500 in prescriptions (total medical costs = $3,500), you haven’t met the threshold. $3,500 is below $6,000 (which is 7.5% of $80k), so none of those expenses would be deductible. Now let’s say instead you had a major health issue and spent $10,000 on a surgery plus $2,000 on chiropractic follow-ups (total $12,000). In that case, you’re $6,000 over the threshold (since $12,000 minus $6,000 = $6,000). You could potentially deduct $6,000 on Schedule A. In short, only the portion above 7.5% of AGI counts.

Implication: This threshold means many taxpayers won’t qualify to deduct moderate chiropractic costs by themselves. For someone with a typical income, you’d need quite high medical bills in a year to see any tax benefit. Chiropractic expenses often come alongside other healthcare costs, though, and they all count together. So if you had a pricey year medically (hospital bills, dental work, etc.), adding your chiropractic receipts to the pile can help push you over the threshold or increase your deduction. On the other hand, if your only significant medical cost was, say, $500 of chiropractic visits for routine back maintenance, you likely won’t get a deduction—7.5% of your income is probably much higher than $500 unless your income is very low.

Strategy: If you’re close to that threshold, consider the timing of expenses. Medical deductions are claimed in the year paid (not necessarily the year of service). Some taxpayers bunch elective or non-urgent medical procedures into one calendar year to exceed the 7.5% floor. For instance, if you need a series of chiropractic treatments or physical therapy sessions, and you also anticipate other medical costs, doing more of them in the same year could help the total surpass the AGI hurdle. Of course, don’t undergo treatment solely for a tax deduction, but if you need care, there’s no harm in being strategic with timing.

Itemizing on Schedule A vs. the Standard Deduction

Even if your medical expenses are high enough, there’s another crucial step: You only get the benefit if you itemize your deductions. Medical expenses (including chiropractic) are one category of itemized deductions – the others being things like state/local taxes, mortgage interest, charitable contributions, etc. When you file your tax return, you have a choice each year to either itemize or take the standard deduction. You should do whichever gives you the bigger overall deduction.

Standard Deduction: This is a flat amount you’re allowed to subtract from income without listing anything. For the 2025 tax year, the standard deduction is around $13,850 for single filers, $20,800 for head of household, and $27,700 for married filing jointly (these amounts adjust for inflation each year). Most taxpayers actually take the standard deduction because it’s fairly large and more straightforward.

Itemized Deductions (Schedule A): To deduct chiropractic expenses, you need to itemize, which means filing Schedule A and listing out allowable expenses. On Schedule A, medical expenses (the portion above 7.5% AGI) go on one line, and you also list things like property taxes, charitable donations, etc., if you have them. The total of all itemized deductions then reduces your taxable income. If that total is less than your standard deduction, itemizing would yield no benefit (you’d choose the standard in that case).

When Itemizing Makes Sense: You should itemize if the sum of all your deductible expenses exceeds the standard deduction for your filing status. Chiropractic expenses alone likely won’t exceed $13k+ for most people, but combined with other items they might. For example, if you had big hospital bills, plus paid a lot of state taxes, plus interest on a mortgage, your itemized total could well beat the standard deduction – and then your chiropractic costs contribute to that.

Important: You cannot deduct medical expenses (or anything on Schedule A) if you are using the standard deduction. It’s one or the other. There’s no partial credit for a few medical bills outside of itemizing. So, if you don’t plan to itemize, then chiropractic expenses won’t directly lower your federal tax. In that case, consider using alternative tax-advantaged methods like HSAs or FSAs (more on these shortly) to at least get some tax benefit for those expenses.

How to Itemize: Itemizing is done by filling out Schedule A (Form 1040). Tax software or a tax preparer will guide you through it by asking about your expenses. For medical costs, you enter the total paid (for you, your spouse, and any dependents) and the software will automatically apply the 7.5% AGI cut. If you’re old-school and fill out by hand, Schedule A has a worksheet: you put your total medical expenses, calculate 7.5% of your AGI, subtract to find the deductible portion, and carry that to the form. Keep all your documentation (receipts, bills, canceled checks) in case of audit – the IRS can ask for proof that you paid what you claimed and that it was for qualified medical care.

Takeaway: Deducting chiropractic costs federally requires a two-step test:

Total medical expenses > 7.5% AGI – otherwise nothing to deduct.
Itemized deductions > standard deduction – otherwise you won’t itemize and the medical deduction is moot.

If you clear both hurdles, you can indeed deduct your unreimbursed chiropractic expenses and potentially get a nice tax break. Now, let’s explore other ways to get tax advantages for these expenses, even if you can’t itemize.

HSA, FSA, and Other Tax-Advantaged Ways to Cover Chiropractic Costs

What if you don’t have enough expenses to itemize, or you just prefer not to? You’re not out of luck. There are special accounts and arrangements that effectively give you tax savings on chiropractic and other medical expenses without needing Schedule A. The two most common are Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs). There are also Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs) offered by some employers. These won’t be “deductions” on your tax return for the chiropractic expense per se, but they provide tax relief upfront.

Health Savings Account (HSA)

An HSA is like a personal medical piggy bank with fantastic tax benefits. You can contribute pre-tax money to an HSA (or deduct contributions from your income), the money can grow tax-free, and withdrawals are tax-free if used for qualified medical expenses. Chiropractic care is considered a qualified medical expense for HSA purposes, just as it is for the itemized deduction.

Who can have an HSA? Only people enrolled in a high-deductible health plan (HDHP) can open and contribute to an HSA. In 2025, a high-deductible plan means one with a deductible of at least $1,600 individual / $3,200 family (and meeting other requirements). If you have an HDHP (common for many self-employed or those with certain employer plans), you can contribute up to the annual HSA limit (e.g., $4,150 self / $8,300 family in 2025, plus extra $1k if 55 or older).

Tax benefit: Contributions to an HSA are tax-deductible (or pre-tax via payroll). For example, if you put $3,000 into your HSA this year, you get to subtract that $3,000 from your taxable income above-the-line (even if you don’t itemize). Many employers also allow payroll deduction for HSAs, which avoids tax and often FICA as well. Then, when you pay your chiropractor, you can use the HSA funds (via an HSA debit card or by reimbursement) to cover the bill.

Effectively deducting chiropractic via HSA: Because the money went in tax-free and came out tax-free for a medical expense, it’s as if you deducted the chiropractor expense – just done in advance. For instance, you have a $500 chiropractor bill. Instead of paying out-of-pocket and hoping to deduct it on Schedule A (which you likely can’t unless you itemize and exceed 7.5% AGI), you pay with HSA funds. That $500 was never taxed in the first place when you earned it, so you’ve gotten a tax break. No need to worry about the 7.5% threshold or itemizing.

Important HSA notes: Keep receipts in case the IRS ever questions if your HSA withdrawals were for legit medical expenses. You don’t send receipts in with your return, but you should have them. Also, you cannot “double-dip.” If you pay for a chiropractic visit with HSA money, you cannot also count that expense toward the itemized deduction. (Though frankly, you wouldn’t want to, since you already got the tax benefit through the HSA.) It’s usually far more advantageous to use tax-free HSA dollars than to hope to deduct an expense on Schedule A, unless you have so many expenses you’re exceeding the threshold by a lot. Finally, note that HSA contributions are reported on Form 8889 with your tax return, and any distributions not used for medical would be taxable (plus penalty if under 65). But distributions for chiropractic or other medical needs are simply not taxed.

Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

A Health Care FSA is an employer-sponsored plan that lets you set aside part of your salary pre-tax to use on out-of-pocket health expenses. FSAs are “use-it-or-lose-it” accounts (funds usually must be spent by end of plan year or a short grace period), but they are very handy for predictable expenses.

How an FSA saves tax: Money you allocate to an FSA is not subject to federal income tax or Social Security/Medicare tax. So if you elect, say, $2,000 for the year, that amount is withheld from your pay before taxes, and you get reimbursed from your FSA when you have medical expenses. Essentially, you’re using untaxed money for your healthcare. Like an HSA, chiropractic treatments are eligible expenses under an FSA. You would submit a claim to your FSA (often just uploading the receipt) and the plan will pay you back or pay the provider.

No double dipping: Just like the HSA, any expense covered by an FSA cannot be claimed as an itemized deduction. But that’s fine, because you’ve already gotten a tax break (typically around 20-30% savings, depending on your tax bracket, on those dollars).

FSA eligibility: Unlike HSAs, FSAs don’t require a high-deductible plan. Anyone whose employer offers one can use it (usually you choose an amount during open enrollment). In 2025 the max you can put in a health FSA is $3,200 (subject to inflation updates).

Example: If you know you’ll see a chiropractor regularly and will spend $600 next year on it, you could elect $600 into your FSA. Each paycheck, a portion of that $600 is taken out pre-tax. When you pay the chiropractor, you send the receipt to the FSA and get reimbursed $600 total over the year. That $600 wasn’t taxed, so you effectively saved whatever tax you would have paid on $600 of income.

Use-it-or-lose-it caution: Be careful to only set aside an amount you’re confident you’ll use, because leftover FSA funds might be forfeited (some plans allow a small carryover or grace period, but generally plan to use it up). If chiropractic is part of your routine healthcare, it’s a good candidate for FSA budgeting.

Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) and Employer Medical Reimbursement Plans

Some employers offer an HRA, which is an employer-funded account that reimburses employees for medical expenses. Unlike HSAs/FSAs, employees don’t put money in; the company sets aside funds (or just pays as needed) for health costs up to a certain limit. If you have access to an HRA, your chiropractic fees could be paid or reimbursed by the plan tax-free. For you as an employee, that’s fantastic – you’re not taxed on the benefit and you don’t have to itemize or worry about thresholds. Just note, similar to above, you cannot deduct expenses that an HRA paid for, since you didn’t spend taxable income on them.

For self-employed individuals or small business owners, there’s an option to create a plan to get a similar benefit:

Self-Employed Health Insurance and Medical Expenses: If you’re self-employed with a net profit, you likely know you can deduct your health insurance premiums above-the-line. But for out-of-pocket medical like chiropractic, a self-employed person normally is in the same boat as any individual (itemize or use HSA). However, if you have your own business (especially a C-corporation or an LLC taxed as a corporation), you could set up a Section 105 Medical Reimbursement Plan or incorporate an HRA for yourself and your employees. For example, a small family business might reimburse the owner and employees for medical costs through the business. The business deducts those payments as a business expense, and the payments are not taxable to the recipients. This effectively sidesteps the 7.5% rule because the deduction is taken on the business side.
- Setting up such a plan requires following some formalities and possibly nondiscrimination rules if you have multiple employees. It’s beyond the scope of this article to dive deep, but it’s good to know that business deduction routes exist for medical expenses in certain scenarios. For most people, though, the straightforward path is itemizing or using an HSA/FSA.

Bottom line: If you can’t itemize or don’t meet the threshold, using HSAs or FSAs is the next best way (or even better way) to get tax savings on chiropractic costs. Always remember: no double dipping. You must choose either the tax-advantaged account route or the itemized deduction for each expense. Most people will use one or the other by default. If you have an HSA/FSA, charge those chiropractic visits there and don’t count them toward Schedule A. If you have no HSA/FSA, keep track of the expenses for potential Schedule A use.

State Tax Variations: How Different States Handle Chiropractic Deductions

Federal tax law is just one side of the coin. State income taxes may have their own rules for deducting medical expenses, including chiropractic care. If you live in a state that has a state income tax, you’ll want to know if you can deduct medical expenses on your state return and if the rules differ from the IRS. Let’s look at a few popular states (California, New York, Texas) and general principles:

California: Follows Federal Rules (7.5% Threshold) for Medical Deductions

California allows taxpayers to itemize deductions on their state return, and it largely conforms to the federal categories, including medical and dental expenses. In California, you can deduct unreimbursed medical expenses (chiropractic, doctor, dentist, etc.) that exceed 7.5% of your California AGI. In practice, this is the same threshold as federal.

No double deduction: If you claimed medical expenses on your federal Schedule A, you’ll carry over that amount to the California itemized deduction (with minor adjustments if any state-specific differences, but medical is generally the same).

If you took the standard deduction federally: California actually allows you to itemize on the state return even if you didn’t on the federal. This is important: Let’s say your federal itemized deductions were just under the standard so you took the federal standard deduction. If California’s standard deduction is lower (it is usually much lower than federal) and your itemizable expenses, including medical, exceed the CA standard, you can choose to itemize for CA. So, you could potentially deduct chiropractic expenses on your CA state taxes even if you didn’t on your 1040. Be sure to check both options when doing your state return.

Example: You’re a California single filer with moderate income. Federal standard deduction is about $13,850, California’s standard deduction might be around $5,202 (for 2025). Suppose you had $6,000 of medical expenses including chiropractic, and not much else to itemize. Federally, $6,000 didn’t beat $13,850 standard, so you took the standard and got no medical deduction. But in California, that $6,000 (minus 7.5% of CA AGI) might produce a state deduction because it can beat the lower $5,202 standard. This means a little tax savings on your CA return due to your chiro and other medical bills.

California specifics: California generally mirrors the IRS on what’s a qualified medical expense. Chiropractic care provided by a licensed chiropractor is accepted. Always check the latest FTB (Franchise Tax Board) instructions, but as of now, there’s no special disallowance for any particular type of medical expense that the feds allow. One thing to note: California does not allow HSAs (California taxes contributions and earnings of HSAs even though federal doesn’t), but that’s a separate issue. If you use an HSA and you’re a CA resident, the contributions aren’t deductible on CA return, and earnings are taxable in CA. However, if you pay chiropractic via HSA, on your CA return you might then count that expense toward the CA medical deduction because effectively you paid it with taxed money from CA’s perspective. (That gets complex – basically CA treats HSA spending as if you paid out-of-pocket since it never gave you a deduction. So you might get a state itemized deduction for those expenses if over threshold.)

New York: A Higher Threshold (10%) for Medical Deductions

New York State allows itemized deductions as well, but it has an important difference: New York did not fully conform to the federal change lowering the threshold to 7.5%. It sticks with a 10% of AGI threshold for medical expenses. This means NY is a bit less generous – you can only deduct unreimbursed medical costs above 10% of your NY adjusted gross income.

Practical effect: Some expenses you could deduct on your federal return (above 7.5% AGI) won’t count on NY unless they exceed 10%. For example, if you deducted $5,000 of medical on federal, New York will make you recalculate based on 10% and you might end up with a smaller allowed amount or even zero if you just barely cleared the federal hurdle.

Example: Married couple in NY, AGI $100,000. They had $12,000 in medical expenses including chiropractic. Federal: 7.5% of 100k = $7,500, so they could deduct $4,500 on Schedule A. New York: 10% of 100k = $10,000, so NY only allows $2,000 as deduction on the state return. If their medical expenses were, say, $8,000 total, federal would allow $500 of it, but NY would allow $0 (since $8k doesn’t exceed $10k threshold).

Itemize requirement: New York typically requires that if you itemize on the federal, you must itemize on state (and vice versa). NY’s itemized deductions start with your federal itemized amount, then you have to adjust for differences like this threshold or state/local tax deduction limits, etc. If you took the standard deduction on federal, you generally would take NY’s standard unless state-specific rules allow otherwise. (NY’s standard deduction for married joint is $16,050 in 2025, for single around $8,000 – these can change, but it’s reasonably high.) So keep in mind, if you couldn’t itemize federally, you likely won’t itemize for NY either, except in rare cases. In short, New Yorkers face a tougher medical deduction rule. Your chiropractic expenses have to be a bit larger (relative to income) to count on the state taxes.

City taxes: If you’re in NYC, note that NYC tax does not have itemized deductions separate from the state’s calculation (NYC piggybacks on NY State taxable income), so the same limitations apply at the city level.

Texas: No State Income Tax (No Deduction Needed!)

Texas is one of the states with no state income tax at all. If you live and file taxes in Texas, you don’t have to worry about state tax deductions for medical expenses, because there’s no state income tax return. The only tax considerations for you are at the federal level (as discussed earlier) and maybe property or sales taxes in Texas, but that’s outside our topic. So Texans can deduct chiropractic costs only on their federal return (and many Texans utilize HSAs given the prevalence of HDHPs, to get tax benefits that way).

What about other states? Many states follow the federal 7.5% rule for medical deductions, but not all. We saw NY uses 10%. New Jersey is an example of a state with an even more lenient rule: a 2% threshold for medical (on NJ state return, you can deduct expenses above 2% of NJ income). This means NJ residents often get a state deduction for medical expenses that weren’t high enough for a federal deduction. Each state has its own quirks:

Some states don’t allow certain federal deductions at all or have caps.
Some require you to itemize federally to itemize on state (e.g., New York, as mentioned; also likely Massachusetts).
Others are more independent (e.g., California, as mentioned, lets you itemize state even if you don’t on federal).
A few states offer tax credits instead of deductions for medical expenses (for example, Ohio has a credit for senior medical expenses under some conditions).
States with no income tax (Texas, Florida, etc.) of course offer no deduction since there’s no state return.

Action item: Always check your state’s tax instructions or consult a CPA for the state-specific rules. Don’t assume it’s the same as federal. If you had substantial chiropractic and other medical costs, you might get a break on your state taxes even if you got nothing federally, depending on the threshold and whether you itemize at the state level. And remember, if you used an HSA or FSA, those gave you federal benefits; states may handle those contributions differently (as noted, e.g., CA and NJ don’t recognize HSAs and will tax those contributions, which ironically could make your medical expenses count on state returns).

In summary:

California – Yes, deduct above 7.5% AGI; can itemize on state even if not on federal.
New York – Deduct above 10% AGI; mostly follows federal itemize status.
Texas – No state tax, so nothing to deduct at state level.
Everywhere else – Check the threshold (many are 7.5% like federal; a few differ). Utilize any state-level advantages like lower thresholds or credits.

Pros and Cons of Deducting Chiropractic Expenses

Is it actually worth trying to deduct your chiropractic expenses? What are the upsides and potential downsides of pursuing this tax deduction? Let’s break it down in a simple Pros and Cons table:

Pros (Advantages)	Cons (Disadvantages)
✅ Lowers Your Taxable Income: If you qualify, deducting chiropractic and other medical expenses can reduce your taxable income, potentially leading to a lower tax bill. This is especially helpful if you had a costly medical year.	⚠️ Must Exceed High Threshold: You only get a deduction if your total medical expenses (including chiropractic) are >7.5% of AGI. Many people’s expenses won’t reach that, meaning no deduction unless you truly had significant bills.
✅ Tax Relief for Health Costs: It provides some financial relief for necessary health care. Essentially, Uncle Sam subsidizes part of your chiropractic care by giving back some of the cost through tax savings. This can soften the blow of large out-of-pocket expenses.	❌ Itemizing Required: The deduction is only available if you itemize instead of taking the standard deduction. Itemizing is beneficial only for some taxpayers – if your deductible expenses aren’t high enough, you won’t itemize and won’t deduct medical costs at all.
✅ Includes Many Expenses: Chiropractic fees can be lumped in with all other medical expenses – doctor visits, prescriptions, dental, etc. Together, these might cross the threshold even if chiropractic alone wouldn’t. Every bit helps once you’re itemizing.	❌ Partial Deduction Only: Even when you qualify, the 7.5% floor means you never get to deduct the first chunk of expenses. You’re only deducting the portion above the threshold. You don’t get back everything you spent – just a fraction in tax savings.
✅ Alternative Tax Options: If itemizing isn’t viable, you have alternatives like HSAs and FSAs to still gain a tax advantage on chiropractor costs. These can be even better (dollar-for-dollar tax free) and don’t require meeting a threshold.	⚠️ Record-Keeping and Proof: You need to maintain documentation (receipts, etc.) and be prepared to show that your expenses were legitimate and unreimbursed. Large medical deductions can sometimes draw IRS attention, so good records are a must.
✅ State Tax Benefits: In some states with lower thresholds or credits (e.g., New Jersey’s 2% threshold), you might get a state tax deduction for chiropractic bills even if you didn’t get a federal benefit. This can vary, but it’s a pro if it applies.	❌ No Double Benefit: If your chiropractor visits are paid through a pre-tax plan (HSA/FSA) or reimbursed by insurance/employer, you cannot deduct them. This isn’t exactly a con – you already got a benefit – but it means you can’t stack benefits. Also, you can’t deduct if you’re using standard deduction.
✅ Encourages Necessary Care: Knowing there’s at least some tax relief available might encourage you to get the treatment you need. For example, if you have a condition that requires frequent chiropractic adjustments, the potential deduction or HSA use helps offset the financial burden a bit.	❌ Complexity: Dealing with medical deductions can add complexity to your tax return. You have to gather all expenses, fill out Schedule A, and navigate varying rules if also doing state taxes. If you’re not tax-savvy, you might need professional help, especially if trying to maximize deductions across federal and state.

In short, the benefit of deducting chiropractic expenses is real if you have enough expenses to qualify – it can save you money. But the hurdles to claim it are high and the rules somewhat cumbersome. Many taxpayers won’t end up deducting their chiropractic costs because they either don’t have enough expenses or they get a better deal with the standard deduction. Using HSAs/FSAs can circumvent some of those issues. Next, let’s cement understanding with some concrete examples.

Real-Life Examples: When Can You Deduct Chiropractic Costs?

To make all this more tangible, let’s walk through a few example scenarios. These will illustrate who qualifies, how much they could deduct, and what forms are used in each situation.

Scenario	Deduction Outcome & Forms Used
1. Moderate Expenses, Does Not Exceed Threshold: Alice is a single filer with AGI of $50,000. This year she paid $1,500 for chiropractic treatments for a nagging back problem and another $500 for an eye doctor and glasses – totaling $2,000 in unreimbursed medical costs. Threshold check: 7.5% of $50k = $3,750. Alice’s $2,000 of expenses do not exceed $3,750, so she gets no deduction for these on Schedule A. She’ll take the standard deduction. (She might consider using an HSA next year if she gets an HDHP, so those expenses could be tax-free up front.)	No itemized deduction because expenses <$3,750. Alice uses the standard deduction on Form 1040 and does not file Schedule A. Her $2,000 of chiropractic and other bills, while unfortunate for her wallet, won’t reduce her taxes. (If Alice lived in a state like NJ with a 2% threshold, she could deduct some on her state return – e.g., NJ threshold 2% of $50k = $1k, her expenses $2k, so $1k state deduction. But federally $0.)
2. High Medical Expenses, Itemizing: Ben and Carol are a married couple (filing jointly) with AGI $100,000. They had a tough year medically. Carol had surgery and physical therapy, costing them $12,000 after insurance. Ben sees a chiropractor regularly after a car accident, costing $3,000 out-of-pocket. They also paid $2,000 in other doctors and prescriptions. Total unreimbursed medical = $17,000. Threshold check: 7.5% of $100k = $7,500. Their expenses exceed that by $9,500. They also have mortgage interest and property taxes that add another $10,000 in deductions, so itemizing definitely beats the ~$27,700 standard deduction for joint filers.	Deductible amount: $17,000 (expenses) – $7,500 (7.5% of AGI) = $9,500 medical deduction. They will file Schedule A (Form 1040). On Schedule A, $9,500 goes on the medical expenses line. Combined with their other itemized deductions, let’s say their total itemized comes to $19,500. That $19,500 replaces the standard deduction and reduces their taxable income. The $3,000 in chiropractic fees Ben paid are fully included in that calculation (they helped push the total up). Net effect: If they’re in the 22% federal tax bracket, that $9,500 medical deduction saves them about $2,090 in federal tax. They also get to deduct these expenses on their state return if their state permits (in their state, assume same 7.5% rule, so likely a similar deduction on state Schedule A). They must keep receipts for all those medical payments in case of any questions.
3. Using an HSA – No Itemized Deduction Needed: Dana is a self-employed graphic designer with a High-Deductible Health Plan. She contributed $3,000 to her HSA this year. Dana had some neck and shoulder issues from her work posture, so she went to a chiropractor and a massage therapist (the massage therapy was prescribed by the chiropractor for her condition). She paid a total of $800 for these treatments, using her HSA debit card. She also spent $200 on prescription meds, also from the HSA. Dana’s AGI is $70,000. Without the HSA, her $1,000 of medical expenses ($800 chiro/massage + $200 meds) would be under the 7.5% threshold (which is $5,250 for $70k AGI), so she wouldn’t deduct them if itemizing. She’s likely taking the standard deduction anyway.	HSA impact: Dana does not itemize or use Schedule A for these expenses. Instead, she already got a tax break: the $3,000 HSA contribution is deducted above-the-line on her Form 1040 (line for HSA contributions, via Form 8889 attachment). That yields an immediate tax savings (say 22% bracket, about $660 saved in tax). She then used $1,000 of the HSA funds for qualified medical expenses (chiropractic, massage therapy for her condition, and prescriptions). Those withdrawals are not taxed. So effectively, her $1,000 of care cost her only $1,000 of pre-tax money (instead of maybe $1,280 of earnings if she had to pay tax then spend it). No Schedule A needed, no threshold to meet. She can still take the standard deduction for other things. The HSA gave her a better outcome than an itemized deduction would have in this scenario. She will file Form 8889 to report the HSA contributions and distributions, but she won’t list any medical expenses on Schedule A. (If Dana lived in a state that taxes HSAs, she might consider itemizing medical on the state return, but that’s a separate complexity.)

These scenarios show a range of outcomes. Many people like Alice won’t be able to deduct their smaller chiropractic bills – but if they have access to an HSA, they can still get a break. People with very high expenses like Ben and Carol will benefit from itemizing and including everything, chiropractics included. The key is to evaluate your own situation: total expenses vs. income, and whether itemizing makes sense or not.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Claiming Chiropractic Expenses

Deducting medical expenses can be tricky, and there are some frequent pitfalls taxpayers run into. Avoid these common mistakes when dealing with your chiropractic (and other medical) expenses on your taxes:

❌ Relying on the Deduction Without Checking Threshold: Don’t assume you can deduct your chiropractor bills just because you had them. Many filers make the mistake of adding some medical receipts and think they can write them off. Remember that 7.5% AGI floor – if you’re nowhere near it, you won’t get a deduction. It’s disappointing, but it’s better to know early. Always calculate your threshold first to set realistic expectations. If you see you won’t qualify, consider alternate strategies (like an HSA) for next time.

❌ Not Itemizing When Required: This sounds basic, but a mistake would be trying to claim medical expenses while still taking the standard deduction. For example, someone might list their medical costs in tax software but also take the standard deduction – the software will usually drop the medical deduction if standard is larger. Pay attention: either itemize (Schedule A) or standard – you can’t have both. If your medical expenses are high enough to be worthwhile, ensure you’ve toggled to itemized deductions. Conversely, if you’re taking standard, don’t bother entering medical expenses at all (unless your software is figuring state itemized for you separately).

❌ Including Reimbursed Expenses: Only unreimbursed amounts are deductible. If your insurance paid for part of the chiropractor visit, or your employer gave you some wellness reimbursement, or you used your FSA/HSA – you must exclude those portions from your Schedule A claim. Some people accidentally try to deduct the full doctor bill when insurance paid half, which is incorrect. Deduct only what you paid out-of-pocket. Similarly, if you get reimbursed in a later year for an expense you deducted, there’s a rule that you have to include that reimbursement as income in the year you get it (because you got a tax benefit earlier). Keep track if something like that occurs.

❌ Claiming Non-Eligible Costs: Be careful to only include legitimate medical expenses for care. If your chiropractor sold you a vitamin supplement or an herbal package that isn’t specifically for treating a condition (and is more like general health), that cost is not deductible. Another example: say you bought a special posture-correcting office chair on your chiropractor’s suggestion. Is that deductible? Generally, furniture or household items are not, unless it’s primarily for medical care and not just a better comfort. (If you had a letter from a doctor that you need a special device or equipment, sometimes that can qualify – e.g., an orthopedic mattress for someone with a severe spinal issue might be argued as a medical expense, but it’s a gray area. Most personal use items won’t fly.) When in doubt, check IRS Pub 502 or ask a tax professional. Don’t pad your medical deduction with questionable items like cosmetics, toiletries, gym memberships, or other personal health expenses that the IRS explicitly disallows.

❌ Forgetting to Group Expenses by Year or Taxpayer: The deduction is by tax year. If you’re on the cusp of the threshold, it could be a mistake to split treatments between two years. For instance, paying one big bill on January 2 that you could have paid on December 31 means it falls into the next year’s tally. That might cause you to miss the threshold both years. Plan the timing if possible (though of course, health needs don’t always obey calendar logic). Also, if you’re married filing separately, note that the threshold applies to each person’s own AGI and expenses – you can’t combine with your spouse’s if you file separate returns (but there might be strategies, like one spouse taking all or a split, depending on how you pay, that a CPA can advise on). Generally, married filing jointly is simpler for medical deduction since you pool everything.

❌ Poor Record-Keeping: This is a big one. Don’t throw away those receipts or billing statements! You should keep documentation for every medical expense you intend to claim. If it’s a chiropractor, keep the invoice or receipt showing the date, service, and amount paid. If you have insurance involved, keep the Explanation of Benefits (EOB) to show what insurance paid vs. you. Good records ensure that if the IRS asks for support (which they might if you have a very large medical deduction relative to income), you can quickly substantiate it. A common mistake is not being able to prove an expense. For HSA/FSA users: you also need to keep receipts in case of an inquiry, even though you’re not itemizing them. Ideally, maintain a spreadsheet or folder with all medical costs, categorized by year.

❌ Not Accounting for State Differences: As discussed, your state might have different rules. A mistake would be to copy your federal itemized deductions to your state form without adjusting for things like New York’s 10% threshold or other state-specific addbacks/limitations. Make sure to recompute or follow instructions for the state return. This might mean you can deduct something on the state even if not on federal (or vice versa). Missing out on a state deduction where you did qualify (or mistakenly taking one where you didn’t) is an error to avoid. Software usually helps here, but only if you input the data correctly.

❌ Assuming Business Deductions for Personal Care: Some self-employed folks think, “Hey, I need to stay healthy to run my business, so my chiropractic treatments are a business expense.” Unfortunately, no – personal medical expenses, even if they help you work better, are not business deductions on Schedule C. You can’t put your chiropractor or your health insurance premiums as a business expense (unless you set up a proper reimbursement plan as discussed). The appropriate place is Schedule A or above-the-line self-employed health insurance for premiums. So don’t write off your health expenses against business income incorrectly. The IRS could disallow it and it complicates things. This is a mistake the IRS sees sometimes, especially with sole proprietors thinking of every expense in terms of the business. Keep the personal vs. business expense distinction clear.

By steering clear of these pitfalls, you’ll ensure that if you do qualify for a deduction, you’ll actually get to keep it without issues. The key themes are: know the rules, claim only what’s allowed, and document everything.

Chiropractic vs. Other Deductible Medical Care: How Does It Compare?

You might be curious how chiropractic expenses stack up against other medical costs from a tax perspective. Are they treated any differently than, say, an MD visit or acupuncture or buying an ankle brace? The answer is mostly no – they’re treated the same, as long as all are for legitimate medical purposes. But let’s compare a few scenarios to highlight what’s deductible and what isn’t:

Chiropractic vs. Family Doctor Visits: Both are deductible medical expenses. A regular doctor (primary care physician) visit co-pay and a chiropractic session fee are on equal footing for tax purposes. They count toward your medical expense total if you paid out-of-pocket.

Chiropractic vs. Acupuncture or Physical Therapy: These, like chiropractic, are also recognized by the IRS as medical care. If you see a licensed acupuncturist or a physical therapist for treatment, those fees are deductible just like chiropractic is. Many people who seek chiropractic care might also use alternative therapies or physio – from a tax view, you group them all together. For instance, you could have $500 chiro + $500 acupuncture + $500 PT = $1,500 total medical expenses (subject to the 7.5% rule).

Chiropractic vs. Massage Therapy: Here’s a subtlety – massage therapy is deductible only if it is for a medical condition and preferably prescribed by a medical practitioner. A massage you get at a spa because you’re stressed (with no doctor’s note or medical reason) is not deductible. But if, say, you have chronic back pain and your physician or chiropractor recommends therapeutic massage as part of treatment, then those massage therapy costs could be considered medical. It helps to have documentation (like a letter stating it’s for your back condition). So massage straddles the line depending on context. Chiropractic, on the other hand, doesn’t require a prescription – it in itself is a type of medical care. So chiropractic is more straightforwardly accepted by IRS, whereas massage requires that it be tied directly to a diagnosed medical issue to count.

Chiropractic vs. Over-the-Counter (OTC) Items: A lot of people buy supplements, pain relievers, or orthopedic pillows on their own for health. Most OTC medicines and general health supplies are NOT deductible. The IRS disallows things like vitamins, nutritional supplements, etc., unless they are specifically recommended by a medical professional as treatment for a specific medical condition (and even then, the IRS is strict – vitamins for general wellness are out; a prescribed B12 regimen for a deficiency might be okay). If your chiropractor sells you a $50 bottle of generic vitamins for “overall health,” that’s not deductible. If your chiropractor, however, fits you for a medically necessary orthotic shoe insert to correct a posture issue, that could be deductible as a medical device. Comparison: Chiropractic service fees – yes deductible. Walking out with a jar of multivitamins from the chiro’s office – no. Always consider if the expense is for treating a medical condition versus maintaining general good health. Only the former is deductible.

Chiropractic vs. Surgery or “Big” Medical Expenses: There’s no difference in how they’re treated under the law, but obviously big hospital bills will more easily exceed the threshold. Chiropractic is often an ongoing smaller expense, whereas something like a surgery might by itself ensure you have deductions. If you have both, it all adds up. This is to say, chiropractic fees aren’t capped or treated differently – you could have $100 or $100k of chiropractic expenses, and if they’re legitimate, they’re subject to the same 7.5% rule and itemizing requirement. (If someone had $100k of purely chiropractic expenses, the IRS might be a bit curious, but maybe it was some intensive program – as long as it was real medical care, it’s allowable.)

Chiropractic vs. Cosmetic Procedures: A stark difference: purely cosmetic procedures (like elective plastic surgery without a medical reason) are not deductible at all. Chiropractic care is therapeutic, not cosmetic, so it’s deductible. This highlights the principle: anything aimed at improving appearance (teeth whitening, cosmetic dental veneers, hair transplants, etc.) is generally not deductible, whereas chiropractic, aimed at health/function, is deductible.

Chiropractic vs. Mental Health Therapy: Mental health counseling or therapy is also a qualified medical expense. So if you’re seeing a psychotherapist for anxiety and a chiropractor for your neck, both expenses are valid medical deductions. Mental health services, psychiatric care, substance abuse treatment, etc., all count. The tax code does not favor one type of legitimate healthcare over another – they’re all in the same bucket.

Chiropractic vs. Exercise Programs: Generally, exercise, fitness programs, or gym memberships are not deductible, even though they improve health, because they are considered beneficial for overall health rather than treating a specific medical issue. There is a narrow exception: if a doctor specifically orders you to enroll in a weight-loss program or gym due to a diagnosed disease (like obesity, hypertension), then some costs may qualify. But ordinarily, no. This contrasts with chiropractic, which is always about a health condition. For example, yoga classes are not deductible even if they help your back, unless maybe you could prove they were prescribed as therapy for a back condition (rarely accepted). In contrast, going to a chiropractor for back pain is directly medical and deductible.

In summary, chiropractic expenses are in the same category as other medical treatments for tax purposes. The same rules (itemize, >7.5% AGI) apply across the board. Where differences arise is whether something counts as a medical expense at all:

Chiropractic = yes (medical).
Acupuncture, physical therapy = yes.
Prescription medicines = yes; Over-the-counter medicines = generally no.
Medical devices (crutches, blood pressure monitor) = yes; General health equipment (like a treadmill for exercise) = no (unless prescribed for rehab).
Dentist and eye doctor = yes (those count too, by the way).
Alternative treatments (naturopath, homeopathy) = gray area but often yes if for illness and done by certified practitioner; IRS has allowed even unconventional treatments if for a diagnosed condition (remember the tax court case with integrative medicine we discussed – the key was it aimed to heal a specific ailment).
Non-traditional provider but treating a condition = likely yes; Traditional spa or “feel good” service = no.

Knowing this, you can make sure to include everything applicable when tallying your medical expenses. Don’t forget mileage to and from medical appointments is deductible (at a set medical mileage rate, 22¢ per mile for 2025, for example) and things like that. They all count as “other types of deductible care” alongside your chiropractic costs.

Key Tax Terms and Definitions You Should Know

To wrap up our guide, let’s clarify some of the key tax and finance terms related to deducting chiropractic and medical expenses. Understanding these will help ensure you’re on solid ground:

Adjusted Gross Income (AGI): Your AGI is essentially your taxable income before itemized or standard deductions and before personal exemptions (exemptions aren’t a thing post-2018, but historically). It’s calculated on the first page of your Form 1040 (or in tax software outputs) by taking total income (wages, business income, interest, etc.) and subtracting “above-the-line” deductions (like retirement contributions, HSA contributions, self-employed health insurance, alimony paid, etc.). The AGI is crucial because many deductions and credits use it as a benchmark. In our context, the 7.5% rule uses AGI to set the floor for medical expense deductions. Tip: Lowering your AGI (legally, through contributions to IRA, HSA, etc.) can indirectly allow more of your medical expenses to be deducted since 7.5% of a smaller AGI is a smaller hurdle.

Qualified Medical Expenses: This phrase refers to what kinds of expenses can be counted toward the medical deduction (or paid from HSAs/FSAs). The IRS definition (in Publication 502 and Section 213 of the tax code) is expenses paid for the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease, or payments for treatments affecting any structure or function of the body. It also includes costs for medical supplies, equipment, and diagnostic devices. To be “qualified,” the expense must be primarily for medical care, not just general health. We’ve discussed examples: chiropractor fees = qualified; nutritional supplements for general wellness = not qualified (unless prescribed for a condition). Other examples of qualified expenses: surgeries, doctor visits, hospital stays, prescription drugs, insulin (even if over-the-counter), eyeglasses, contacts, hearing aids, medically needed home improvements (like installing wheelchair ramps), etc. Non-qualified: cosmetic procedures, health club dues, vitamins, babysitting during medical visits, etc. When in doubt, Pub 502 has an A-Z list of items and whether they qualify. Chiropractic is explicitly listed as qualified.

IRS Publication 502: This is the IRS’s detailed guide titled “Medical and Dental Expenses.” It’s updated annually to reflect any changes (the threshold, mileage rate, etc.). Pub 502 is available on IRS.gov and is a very useful reference for taxpayers or preparers. It explains what expenses are deductible, whose expenses you can include (yourself, spouse, dependents, and even some others in specific cases), how to handle reimbursements, how to calculate and claim the deduction, and special cases (like impairments, long-term care, etc.). If you’re considering deducting medical costs, it’s wise to skim the table of contents or index of Pub 502 to ensure you’re not missing anything or trying to include something not allowed. It also covers things like medical travel (you can deduct lodging and transportation for medical care within certain limits) and other nuances. For chiropractic, Pub 502 simply states you can include fees paid to chiropractors. But Pub 502 would also tell you that if your chiropractor prescribed, say, a back brace, that expense is deductible as well (as a medical supply).

Medical Necessity: This term comes up often in insurance and tax discussions. For tax, there isn’t a requirement to get a doctor’s letter for most things (except some specific cases like a weight-loss program or school for learning disabilities, etc.). However, the concept of medical necessity is implied in the definition of qualified expenses. It means the expense is for a medical condition, not just for cosmetic or optional comfort reasons. Insurance companies often require proof of medical necessity to cover treatments. While the IRS doesn’t require you to submit such proof with your return, you should be prepared to show that an expense was indeed medically needed if it’s an unusual item. Chiropractic care is generally considered medically necessary when you seek it for pain relief, injury, or treatment of a diagnosed problem (e.g., sciatica, misaligned spine, etc.). You don’t have to prove necessity for routine things like a chiropractor visit. But if you deducted an unconventional expense, having a doctor’s note could support that it was necessary for your health (for example, a hot tub you installed and deducted as a medical expense – you’d need strong evidence it’s prescribed for therapy for something like chronic arthritis; yes, people have deducted hot tubs in special cases).

Schedule A (Form 1040): This is the tax form used to report itemized deductions. It has sections for medical and dental expenses, taxes paid, interest paid, gifts to charity, casualty/theft losses, and some other miscellaneous deductions. The medical expenses section is where you put your total expenses, then subtract 7.5% of AGI (the form does this math through a worksheet or you do it manually). The resulting allowable deduction goes on Schedule A line 4 (for 2024; lines can shift with form updates). If you’re itemizing, Schedule A is attached to your Form 1040 when you file. It doesn’t break out the details of what comprised your medical expenses – you keep that on your own records. Schedule A just shows the lump sum. But you should have an itemization in your files of how you got that number (e.g., $X to Dr. Smith, $Y to Chiro Clinic, $Z for medications, etc.).

Health Savings Account (HSA): As covered, an HSA is a special savings account for health expenses for those with HDHP insurance. Key points: contributions are tax-deductible (or pre-tax via work), earnings are tax-free, withdrawals are tax-free if used for qualified medical expenses. It’s an extremely tax-efficient way to pay for things like chiropractic care. HSAs have their own rules and you report contributions and distributions on Form 8889. One more definition: High-Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) – a requirement for HSA, meaning in 2025 a plan with at least $1,600 (single) deductible, $3,200 (family) and meeting out-of-pocket maximum limits.

Flexible Spending Account (FSA): A benefit plan offered by employers allowing employees to set aside money pre-tax for health expenses. It’s “use it or lose it” typically within the plan year. Max contribution in 2025 is around $3,200 (indexed annually). No special form to file for FSAs – you just exclude that income on your W-2 (the amount you put in the FSA isn’t in your taxable wages on the W-2). So, for definitions: Pre-tax means before income and payroll taxes are applied. FSAs are one such mechanism.

Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA): An employer-funded plan to reimburse employees for medical costs. Employees don’t contribute, and it’s not taxable to the employee when they get a reimbursement for an eligible expense. No specific tax form for employees; it’s handled by the employer’s deductions. There are also new variants like QSEHRA (Qualified Small Employer HRA) for small businesses, and ICHRA (Individual Coverage HRA), etc., which allow reimbursements for premiums and expenses. But that’s diving deep – just know HRA is an employer-paid arrangement.

Unreimbursed Medical Expenses: A term often used to stress that only out-of-pocket costs count for the deduction. If any portion is paid by insurance or reimbursed by some plan, that portion is not “unreimbursed” and thus not deductible. For instance, if you have a $100 chiropractor bill and insurance pays $80, your unreimbursed expense is $20. Always use the unreimbursed amount in calculating your deduction. If you later get reimbursed for something you already deducted, it might become taxable income (per the tax benefit rule).

Tax Court Cases (Relevant to Medical Expenses): While you don’t need to be a lawyer, it’s useful to know that many odd scenarios have been litigated. For example, the Malev v. Commissioner (2017) bench case we referenced, where a taxpayer deducted alternative treatments for a spinal condition and won. The court highlighted that treatments need not be FDA-approved or mainstream, nor does the practitioner need to be an MD, as long as the expenses are for genuine medical care aimed at healing. Another well-known case: Ochs v. Commissioner (1952) – where a mother sent her child to a special boarding school on doctor’s advice (for the child’s health after an illness) and tried to deduct the boarding school costs; the court allowed the portion that was medical. Or Jacobs v. Commissioner – the case where a parent deducted the cost of a clarinet and lessons for their child on an orthodontist’s recommendation to help correct teeth alignment (yes, that was allowed!). These cases show the breadth of what can qualify if there’s a clear medical reason. On the flip side, the IRS and courts disallowed things like a swimming pool for arthritis without strong evidence it was mostly for medical therapy (if it also provided personal recreation, they disallowed it). The takeaway: if you have an unconventional expense, see if any case law or rulings exist, and be prepared to justify it thoroughly. For normal chiropractic services, you won’t need to fight a tax court battle – it’s clearly allowed.

Now that we’ve covered the definitions and key concepts, you should be well-equipped with the terminology and understanding needed to handle chiropractic expense deductions knowledgeably.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Chiropractic Expenses and Taxes

Finally, let’s answer some common questions people (often on forums like Reddit or personal finance discussions) have about deducting chiropractic costs. We’ll keep it quick – yes or no answers with brief clarifications:

Q: Is chiropractic care tax deductible if I pay out of pocket?
A: Yes. Chiropractic treatments are considered a qualified medical expense by the IRS. You can deduct what you pay out-of-pocket if you itemize and your total medical expenses exceed 7.5% of your AGI.

Q: Can I claim my chiropractic bills if I take the standard deduction?
A: No. If you take the standard deduction, you cannot separately deduct medical expenses. Only by itemizing (Schedule A) can you claim chiropractic or other medical costs.

Q: Does my chiropractic expense need to be “medically necessary” to deduct it?
A: Yes. In practice, any treatment by a licensed chiropractor for a health condition is considered medically necessary. You don’t need a doctor’s note, but the expense should be for health improvement, not just pampering.

Q: Are chiropractic visits covered by HSA or FSA funds?
A: Yes. You can absolutely use HSA or FSA money for chiropractic services. These accounts let you pay with pre-tax dollars, effectively making your chiropractic care tax-free (even without itemizing).

Q: My insurance only paid half of my chiropractor bill – can I deduct the rest?
A: Yes. You can deduct the unreimbursed portion you paid. In this case, the half that insurance didn’t cover can count toward your medical deductions (subject to the 7.5% AGI rule).

Q: Can I deduct travel costs to visit my chiropractor?
A: Yes (within limits). You can deduct mileage (or actual transportation costs) to and from medical appointments, including chiropractor visits. The IRS sets a mileage rate (e.g., 22 cents per mile in 2025). Tolls or parking for medical visits are also deductible. These travel costs count as part of your medical expenses.

Q: If my chiropractor prescribes a special medical device, is that deductible?
A: Yes. Medical devices or equipment prescribed for your condition (like a back brace, orthopedic pillow, TENS unit, etc.) are deductible. They fall under medical supplies. Just make sure it’s primarily for medical use.

Q: Can I write off vitamins or supplements recommended by my chiropractor?
A: Generally no. Vitamins or supplements are usually considered personal expenses, not deductible. If a specific supplement is prescribed as treatment for a diagnosed condition (and isn’t just over-the-counter for general health), it’s a gray area, but typically the IRS disallows dietary supplements.

Q: I’m self-employed. Can I put chiropractic expenses on my business schedule (Schedule C)?
A: No. Personal medical expenses, even for a self-employed individual, do not go on Schedule C. They are personal itemized deductions (Schedule A) or use an HSA. The exception would be if you set up a formal Medical Reimbursement Plan in your business, but that requires a proper plan. Don’t mix medical with business expenses directly.

Q: Are chiropractic expenses subject to the 7.5% AGI threshold every year?
A: Yes. The 7.5% threshold is the current law (and was made permanent at 7.5% in recent years). It applies each tax year for medical deductions. (It used to be 10% for some years, but it’s 7.5% now for all ages.)

Q: If I use an FSA for my chiropractor co-pays, can I also deduct them on taxes?
A: No. You can’t double-dip. If your co-pays were reimbursed by an FSA (paid with pre-tax dollars), you can’t also claim those on Schedule A. You’ve already received a tax benefit via the FSA.

Q: My chiropractic treatments span multiple years. Can I deduct them all at once?
A: No, you deduct expenses in the year you paid them. If you prepay a multi-year treatment plan in one year, that whole payment counts in that year. If you pay as you go, each payment is deductible in the year paid. You can’t lump together expenses from different years into one tax year’s deduction.

Q: Do I need to attach receipts or proof for my chiropractic expenses to my tax return?
A: No, you don’t attach receipts to the return. Just keep them in your records. If the IRS needs to verify, they will ask for the documentation. Typically, you only provide receipts during an audit or review, not with the initial filing.

Q: Can I deduct chiropractic expenses for my dependents or spouse?
A: Yes. You can include medical expenses you paid for yourself, your spouse, and anyone you claim as a dependent on your tax return. For example, if your child needed chiropractic care and you paid for it, it’s part of your deductible medical expenses.

Q: What tax form do I use to deduct medical expenses like chiropractic?
A: Use Schedule A (Itemized Deductions) on your Form 1040. That’s where you list medical expenses (among other deductions). If using an HSA, you use Form 8889 for HSA contributions/distributions.

Q: Is there a limit to how much in medical expenses I can deduct?
A: No overall cap. You can deduct all qualified medical expenses above the 7.5% AGI floor. There’s no maximum dollar limit for the medical expense deduction itself. (Some specific things have limits – e.g. long-term care insurance premiums have an age-based limit – but chiropractic doesn’t have a special cap.)

Q: Will deducting large medical expenses (like a lot of chiro visits) raise a red flag with the IRS?
A: It could if the amount is unusually large relative to your income, but if you have proper documentation it’s not a problem. The IRS gets a figure of your total medical deduction, not a breakdown. Just keep good records. Many people with major illnesses have huge deductions; it’s allowed. Only fraudulent or unsupported claims are an issue.

Q: Are chiropractic treatments for preventive care deductible or only for treating illness/injury?
A: They are deductible as long as they affect the structure or function of the body (which they do) or prevent/cure a condition. Preventive check-ups (like periodic adjustments to maintain alignment and prevent pain) generally qualify because they support proper body function. The IRS doesn’t require you to be acutely ill to deduct medical care. For example, an annual physical exam is deductible; likewise, maintenance chiropractic care is arguably deductible if it’s part of your health regimen. (Be prepared to explain if ever questioned, but typically it’s fine.)

Q: My chiropractor recommended an ergonomic office chair which I bought – medical expense?
A: Probably not. Furniture usually isn’t a deductible medical expense unless it’s specifically designed to relieve a diagnosed medical condition and not something you’d normally use otherwise. An example of a possibly deductible item would be a special wheelchair or hospital bed for home use if needed for a patient. An ergonomic chair, while helpful, is hard to claim as a medical expense (the IRS could view it as a personal comfort item). If you had a doctor’s prescription for a specific medical reason, you could try, but it’s iffy.