Is Dental Insurance Tax Deductible?

Dental insurance may not be the first thing that comes to mind when it comes to tax deductions, but your premiums probably qualify.

There are just certain conditions that need to be met.

So, read on to find out whether you are eligible for a deduction.

Is Dental Insurance Tax Deductible?

Dental and medical insurance premiums are tax-deductible on Form 1040 Schedule A.

That said, you can deduct only the portion of your expenses that exceed 7.5% of your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI).

The process is easy if you have dental insurance through your employer. Typically, the company deducts your premiums from your earnings, so you don’t have to do anything.

If you’re self-employed, dental insurance premiums are still tax-deductible. Naturally, things are a bit more complicated when you do your own taxes.

Let us walk you through the process to help you out.

First, you need to check whether your coverage is eligible for a tax deduction. That depends on the types of services your policy covers. We discuss that below.

Next, you need to calculate your AGI. Then, see whether your medical and dental expenses exceed the required percentage. If they do, you can calculate the benefit for the exceeding amount.

But first, let’s see the list of dental insurance deductible expenses.

Which Dental Expenses Are Tax-Deductible?

Dental insurance premiums can be deductible from taxes, but only under certain conditions.

The essential dental treatments, like biannual cleanings and dental implants, are tax-deductible. You can also write off the cost of orthodontic work, such as clear aligners or braces.

The IRS considers them essential services, even though they aim to improve your looks, not just your health.

But that's not the case with whitening services, for example. This type of dental work isn’t tax-deductible.

These are purely cosmetic alterations, so you can't deduct your premiums if your policy covers them.

Is Dental Insurance Tax Deductible if You’re Self-Employed?

The self-employed can deduct health insurance premiums as an adjustment to income on Schedule 1 of Form 1040 .

The self-employed health insurance deduction also applies to long-term care and dental work for themselves and their dependents.

So, dental insurance premiums are tax-deductible under the conditions described above.

HSA and FSA

Eligible medical expenses are tax-deductible if paid for with funds from an HSA or an FSA. Rather, contributions to these accounts are made pre-tax.

Then, you can use the funds in the accounts to reimburse qualified expenses. Typically, these include a list of dental services.

If you’ve already used your HSA or FSA to cover them, you can’t take advantage of tax deductions on your dental insurance premiums.

The IRS does not allow a tax break for the same expenses twice.

Wrap Up

Dental insurance premiums can be deductible from taxes, but only under certain conditions. It depends on various factors, including:

• The types of services your policy covers
• The amount you've spent on dental care
• Your employment status
• The account you're using to cover the expenses

Read our detailed guide and see if your dental insurance is tax-deductible.