Not all dental costs are covered by health insurance, and that can add up quite a bit. Fortunately, the Tax Office offers a way out for certain medical expenses that you pay yourself: tax deduction. But exactly which dental expenses are deductible, and what conditions must you meet? In this blog, we explain clearly and concisely which dental expenses you can deduct and what the rules are.
When are dental expenses deductible?
Dental expenses fall under deductible healthcare expenses, but only if they are not reimbursed by your health insurance. Thus, you can only deduct the expenses you pay yourself. Important conditions to qualify for tax deductions include:
- The expenses must have been incurred for yourself, your partner or your children.
- The cost must not have been reimbursed by another person, such as insurance.
- A threshold amount applies: only expenses above this threshold are deductible.
What dental expenses can you deduct?
Not all dental expenses are eligible for tax deductions. Below is a summary of which expenses are often deductible and which are not:
1.Root canal treatments and crowns
Costs for treatments that are truly necessary to restore your teeth, such as root canal treatments, crowns and bridges, are deductible in many cases. These treatments are considered essential to your health and are therefore eligible.
2.Extractions (pulling teeth)
Having teeth pulled may also be deductible, provided these treatments are not covered by insurance. For example, consider situations where a molar is inflamed and needs to be removed.
3. Dentures and implants
Costs for dentures, such as dentures or implants, are often deductible. Please note that implants are sometimes partially reimbursed by supplementary insurance policies. In that case, you can only deduct the portion you pay yourself.
Orthodontics for adults
Orthodontics, such as adult braces treatment, may be deductible under certain conditions. This only applies if the braces are necessary for overall health and not just for cosmetic purposes.
What dental expenses are not deductible?
Not all dental expenses are tax deductible. This includes cosmetic treatments, such as teeth whitening, for example. The IRS considers these treatments optional and not necessary for your health. Also, costs for periodic checkups or an oral hygiene subscription are not deductible. These fall under preventive care, which is not considered necessary. In addition, you cannot deduct the co-payment for supplemental insurance. Only the costs you pay yourself that are not covered by insurance are eligible for tax deduction.
How does the tax deduction for dental expenses work?
To deduct dental expenses, you must first consider the threshold amount. This amount is calculated based on your income and determines the point from which healthcare expenses are deductible. Start by adding up all unreimbursed healthcare expenses, including dental expenses. You can then calculate the threshold amount for your situation through the Tax Office website. Only expenses above this threshold amount are eligible for deduction. When you fill out your tax return, mention these healthcare costs.
Helpful tips for deducting dental expenses
- Keep all invoices: This is important as proof for the IRS.
- Check your health insurance: Only the portion you pay yourself is deductible. See if your insurance reimburses expenses.
- Consider clustering expenses: If you expect a lot of dental expenses, it may be advantageous to drop them into one tax year. This will get you above the threshold amount faster and allow you to deduct more expenses.
Contact or register at Scheldebuurt Dental Practice
Want to know more about which dental expenses are tax deductible? At Scheldebuurt Dental Practice in Amsterdam, we not only help you with your oral health, but also with practical information about the financial aspects of dental care. Our team is ready to advise you on your treatment options as well as inform you about the costs that may be tax deductible.
