Self-Care & Taxes 2025: How Wellness Choices Can Save You Money

“Health is wealth” — and in some cases, smart self-care can intersect with smart taxes.
Not every wellness expense qualifies, but under Internal Revenue Code §213 and IRS Publication 502, certain medical and health-improvement costs can count if they meet specific rules.

1️⃣ Tax Law Basics: When Self-Care Qualifies

Medical expenses are deductible on Schedule A (Form 1040) only to the extent the total exceed 7.5% of your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI). You must itemize to benefit.
To qualify, the expense generally must relate to the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease — general wellness is typically excluded unless prescribed by a physician.

2️⃣ Which Wellness & Health Costs Qualify?

Potentially qualifying examples include:

• Physician-prescribed programs (e.g., weight-loss program for diagnosed obesity, physical therapy)
• Transportation for medical care — mileage at the 2025 medical rate of 21¢ per mile, plus parking and tolls
• Health insurance premiums for self-employed individuals (claimed as an adjustment to income, not on Schedule A)

Non-qualifying examples typically include general gym fees, spa treatments, vitamins, or supplements taken for overall health rather than treatment of a specific condition.

3️⃣ Practical Self-Care Tax Tips for 2025

• Keep receipts, prescriptions, and doctor’s notes that tie the expense to medical treatment
• Track medical travel separately (miles, parking, tolls) at 21¢/mile
• Separate general wellness from prescribed treatment; only the treatment portion may qualify
• Compare itemizing vs. the standard deduction.
  For 2025, the standard deduction for single filers is $15,750; itemizing only helps if total itemized deductions exceed that amount.

4️⃣ Common Pitfalls & Audit Traps

• Claiming general wellness (massage, spa, gym) without a physician’s prescription — likely denied
• Double-dipping: expenses paid or reimbursed by HSA/FSA cannot be deducted again
• Weak documentation for medical mileage or treatment purpose — common audit trigger

🔗 Related Guides:
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act 2025: Everything You Need to Know About the New U.S. Tax Law
Understanding Business Travel Expense Deductions in 2025: A Clear Guide for U.S. Taxpayers

🌐 External References:
IRS Publication 502 — Medical & Dental Expenses