{"id":14477,"date":"2019-04-06T22:59:48","date_gmt":"2019-04-06T22:59:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zeel.com\/blog\/?p=14477"},"modified":"2022-07-19T00:34:03","modified_gmt":"2022-07-19T04:34:03","slug":"deducting-massage-on-your-taxes-a-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zeel.com\/blog\/workplace-wellness\/deducting-massage-on-your-taxes-a-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Are Massages Tax Deductible? What You Need to Know"},"content":{"rendered":"

April is here, and along with baseball and soggy weather, it brings tax season. At Zeel<\/a>, we\u2019re often asked, “is massage tax-deductible?” The answer is: it depends.<\/p>\n

There certainly are situations where you can deduct massage on your taxes \u2013 but make sure your massages qualify as a tax write-off, or the IRS may have an unpleasant surprise waiting for you.<\/p>\n

When are massages not tax-deductible?<\/h3>\n

You cannot deduct a massage from your taxes if you decided to pay for it with an HSA or FSA account.<\/p>\n

According to the IRS<\/a>, medical expenses paid for with an HSA (health savings account) or FSA (flexible spending account)\u00a0cannot be deducted \u2013\u00a0though that doesn\u2019t mean it\u2019s a bad idea to use HSA\/FSA money for a massage<\/a>, of course.<\/p>\n

You also cannot deduct a massage that you received for a non-medical reason, or for a medical reason not officially diagnosed by a medical professional.<\/p>\n

There are many valid reasons to get massage that have nothing to do with a specific health issue \u2013 massage is great for overall stress relief and relaxation, for example, or to improve running performance with a sports massage. However, while massage can certainly improve your overall physical and mental health by boosting immunity, improving mood, and helping you get better sleep<\/a>, these reasons are not good enough for the IRS to grant you a deduction.<\/p>\n

When can you deduct massages from your taxes?<\/h3>\n

You may be able to deduct massages from your taxes if you are receiving the massage for a medical reason, with an official diagnosis.<\/p>\n

Doctors are recommending massage<\/a> at increasing rates. In 2016, 17% of all Americans discussed massage with a medical provider, and 63% of those doctors either referred the patient to a massage therapist, or recommended that they seek a medical massage. If a doctor, or other licensed medical practitioner, like a chiropractor, prescribes massage for a physical issue, you may be able to deduct this medical massage on your taxes.<\/p>\n

What are some common reasons that doctors prescribe massages?<\/h3>\n

Doctors may prescribe massages for the following conditions:<\/p>\n