by KYW's Amy Feldman

An accountant was shocked when one of his clients honestly believed and argued with a straight face that his hair transplant surgery should be deductible as a medical expense.  Are you confused about what is, and what isn’t deductible as a medical expense?  Let me plug the holes in your knowledge.

Taxpayers may only itemize medical expenses if they exceed 7 1/2 % of adjusted gross income.  You may only deduct medicine if it is by prescription or insulin.  Even if they are reimbursable under your flexible spending account, and even when recommended by a doctor, over the counter medicines are not deductible.  But items other than drugs that are over the counter--like blood sugar test kits, crutches and the like are deductible if they are related to medical care.   And cosmetic surgery, if only intended to improve appearance is not deductible (baldness doesn’t count), but if needed to correct a deformity related to an injury, disease, or congenital abnormality is deductible.

For more information on tax deductions, visit IRS.gov.  For information on hair replacement you can take advantage of the hair club for men but not the government.