Gluten-Free Tax Deduction Guide for Celiac and other Special Diets (2024)

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Tax Deductions for Celiac Disease, Gluten-Free Diets and Special Diets

We hope this guide for Special Diet & Gluten-Free Tax Deduction steps will help answer questions about how to deduct special diet expenses, who can deduct them, and how to speak to your tax professional about the medical tax credits.-Updated to reflect thethe latest tax code for medical deductions

Is there really a gluten-free tax write off?

Gluten-Free Tax Deduction Guide for Celiac and other Special Diets (1)

If you or your child has Celiac Disease or another medical diagnosis requiring a special diet, don't forget to talk to your accountant about deducting the extra expenses related to gluten-free products or other specially-purchased items.

Currently, filers can deduct total qualified unreimbursed medical care expenses that exceed 7.5% of their adjusted gross income if theyitemize their deductions.

Get more general information about the medical deduction in this article from Turbo Tax.

The IRS allows you to deduct qualified medical expenses that exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income for 2017 and 2018. The code was revised starting Jan. 1, 2019, when all taxpayers could deduct only the amount of the total unreimbursed allowable medical care expenses for the year if they exceeded 10% of their adjusted gross income. The code was revised again for 2020, 2021 and 2022 tax years to 7.5% adjusted gross income.

Here's the IRS definition of allowable Medical and Dental Expenses

Which Expenses Can I Deduct for a Gluten-Free Diet?

If your total medical expenses for the year meet the required percentage of your adjusted gross income, you may be able to deduct the difference in cost between “regular” food products and gluten-free alternatives. You can also deduct the total cost of items that would not be purchased at all if not for the gluten-free diet (such as xanthan gum or sorghum flour, for example). Shipping costs for gluten-free items are also fully deductable.

PRO TIP: When looking at total medical expenses, be sure to include doctor and Rx co-pays, insurance, dental, medical mileage and other expenses to include. These expenses are all clearly allowable, and may add up to more than you think, when groceries are included.

Be sure to consult a tax professional about your tax deductions for Celiac Disease costs and tax write-offs for a gluten free diet or other medically necessarydiet.

From theNational Foundation for Celiac Awareness (Beyond Celiac):Individuals diagnosed with Celiac Disease may be able to receive tax deductions for expenses associated with gluten-free foods and products. However, there are a few catches to obtaining them.

Tips to help you through the procedures and paperwork for special diet/gluten-free tax deductions:

Here are the steps for taking a special diet or gluten-free tax deduction:

Step 1: Get A Doctor’s Note

Request an official, written Celiac diagnosis (or other diet requirement) from your doctor. Submit this documentation with your other completed forms (see Step 4). Make sure to keep a copy for your records!

Step 2:Save Your Receipts

Keep receipts of all gluten-free purchases from grocery stores, bakeries and anywhere else you buy gluten-free items.

Step 3:Break Out the Calculator

List the prices of gluten-free foods compared to those of regular foods. The difference between those prices is tax-deductible. For example, if a pound of wheat flour costs $0.89 and a pound of rice flour costs $3.25, then you may deduct $2.36 for each pound of rice flour purchased.

Products like xanthan gum and sorghum flour are completely tax-deductible as they have no "regular" counterpart. This is because they are purchased entirely to meet your dietary needs. Shipping costs for online purchases are also permissible deductions.

Step 4: File Your Claim

Gluten-Free Tax Deduction Guide for Celiac and other Special Diets (2)

Fill out form1040 schedule Afor medical deductions. Refer to:

  • IRS Publication 502
  • Revenue Rulings:55-261, 2002-19 and 67 TC 481
  • Cohen 38 TC 387
  • Flemming TC MEMO 1980 583
  • Van Kalb TC MEMO 1978 366

Feel free to cite these references in your tax paperwork.

This Tax Deduction Guide for Gluten-Free Diets is meant as a guideline. For specific circ*mstances for gluten-free write offs, contact an accountant or tax professional.

Can you write off gluten-free food from restaurants too?

Again, it's all about documentation. If your meal is clearly part of a special diet, it should qualify for a gluten free tax deduction.

Some restaurants, like In-N-Out, mark allergy requests on the receipt. That makes it clear that the purchase was in accommodation to your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions About Gluten-Free Tax Deductions:

Can I write of groceries for a special diet?

Yes. Grocery and food expenses from medically prescribed or necessary diets, such as gluten-free for Celiac Disease, can be written off as part of medical expense deductions on U.S. taxes.

Is gluten-free food a tax write-off?

Yes, gluten-free food expenses can be ducted from taxes as part of medical expense deductions. People following a special diet can write off the difference between gluten-free products and the foods they are replacing.

How do I claim Celiac on my taxes?

Gluten-free food expenses can be ducted from taxes as part of medical expense deductions for people with Celiac Disease. You must have a medical diagnosis or letter from a doctor directing you to follow a gluten-free diet to take the deduction.

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Gluten-Free Tax Deduction Guide for Celiac and other Special Diets (2024)

FAQs

Is gluten-free food tax deductible for celiacs? ›

You may deduct the cost of Gluten-Free (GF) food that is in EXCESS of the cost of the gluten containing food that you are replacing. For example, if a loaf of gluten-free bread costs $5.00 and a comparable loaf of gluten containing bread costs $2.50, you may include in your medical expenses the excess cost of $2.50. 2.

How to claim celiac disease on taxes? ›

Do you qualify for a deduction? Physician Diagnosis. You must have a diagnosis in writing and a prescription stating that a gluten-free diet is necessary to treat your celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity from your physician.

What are the special dietary requirements for gluten-free? ›

A gluten-free diet generally means not eating most grains, pasta, cereals, and processed foods. The reason is that they usually contain wheat, rye, and barley. You'll need to become an expert at reading ingredient lists on packages. Choose foods that don't contain gluten.

What does the gluten-free diet claim to do for people? ›

A gluten-free diet may provide many health benefits, especially if you have celiac disease or a gluten-related disorder. If you do, following a gluten-free diet can help ease digestive symptoms, reduce inflammation, and boost your energy levels.

Are there federal benefits for celiac disease? ›

If you or one of your dependents has celiac disease and you itemize your deductions, the extra costs due to gluten-free dietary restrictions may be taken as a medical expense. Additionally, US laws offer benefits to Americans whose disability directly leads to them missing at least one year of work.

How do I claim gluten-free? ›

To label gluten free on your products you need to be sure that they contain 20 parts per million (ppm) or less of gluten.

Can I get money for having celiac disease? ›

Gluten can be found in wheat products, spelt, rye, and barley. If your symptoms of celiac disease have lasted for a year or more and kept you from working full-time, then you might be eligible for disability benefits.

Is celiac disease a Social Security disability? ›

Celiac disease is diagnosed with a blood test. It is usually treated with a gluten-free diet. Because the symptoms of celiac disease disappear when there is no exposure to gluten, most people with celiac disease do not qualify for SSDI or SSI benefits.

Is celiac disease gluten-free for life? ›

A strict, lifelong gluten-free diet is the only treatment for celiac disease. It can alleviate the 250+ symptoms associated with celiac disease, including: Dermatitis herpetiformis, an itchy skin rash associated with celiac disease.

Is gluten-free a nutrition claim? ›

Whether a food is manufactured to be free of gluten or is free of gluten by nature, it may bear a gluten-free labeling claim if it meets all FDA requirements for a gluten-free food. Foods and beverages like bottled spring water, fruits, vegetables, and eggs are naturally gluten-free.

Do all celiacs respond to gluten-free diet? ›

Some celiac disease patients don't respond to the gluten-free diet because of conditions unrelated to celiac disease, including bacterial overgrowth and lactose intolerance, but even when these are excluded, a seemingly strict gluten-free diet can inadvertently include enough gluten to trigger symptoms or damage.

Why are many doctors against a gluten-free diet? ›

FALSE. Eliminating gluten may not only strip your diet of valuable nutrients, but also hinder the accuracy of tests for celiac disease, a serious autoimmune condition in which gluten signals the body to attack the lining of the small intestine. Celiac disease affects about 1 in 141 people in the US.

How strict do celiacs have to be? ›

If you have celiac disease, we recommend you stay completely gluten-free to avoid complications. Generally, 10 mg gluten (per day) is considered the threshold for gluten consumption (1). This is the amount of gluten in a 350th piece of a slice of bread – so really just crumbs!

Does celiac disease cause weight gain? ›

People with celiac disease may experience weight gain after starting a gluten-free diet; this initial weight gain indicates that their intestinal health is improving and they are more effectively absorbing nutrients. However, gaining too much weight can lead to multiple health problems.

Is gluten-free OK for celiacs? ›

If you have coeliac disease you will have to avoid gluten for life. A gluten free diet is the only treatment for the condition. Gluten is found in the grains wheat, barley and rye. On the gluten free diet you can eat many foods including meat, fish, fruit, vegetables, rice and potatoes.

Can you claim for gluten intolerance? ›

Subject to the Limitation Act of 1980, if you have suffered due to a gluten allergy reaction after exposure to gluten, then this is classed as a form of personal injury, and you have three years to pursue a claim for compensation.

Is gluten reduced safe for celiacs? ›

If you have celiac disease, experts recommend avoiding gluten-removed beers. Beers that are labeled gluten-free are generally safe. Other alcoholic drinks that are gluten-free include wine, pure distilled liquors, drinks made from fermented fruit juices, and hard ciders.

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