Hot tub deduction

[Sasnak]

On the advice of my wife's physician, we purchased a hot tub to help her cope with pain resulting from medical conditions. He even wrote a "prescription" for the hot tub. My wife insists that this is a legitimate medical expense and, therefore, deductable. I'm not so sure. I think something like this could be inviting an audit. What do you think?

 

[loku]

From what you say, it sounds like you have a legitimate deduction; however, you may have a point, and the deduction may be an audit flag. If you include a copy of the “prescription” in your tax return, that should help.

Here is the applicable rule for your situation:

1.medical expenses be incurred primarily for purposes of medical care;
2.there be a direct and proximate relationship between the expense and the mitigation of disease or illness; and
3. the taxpayer establish that the expense would not have been incurred but for the medical problem.