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Can I deduct the cost of a medical conference


Yes, you can deduct certain costs associated with attending a medical conference, but there are specific rules and limitations to keep in mind:

1. Eligibility: The conference must be related to a medical condition affecting you, your spouse, or your dependent[2][3].

2. Deductible expenses:
- Registration fees for the conference are deductible[1][2][3].
- Transportation costs to and from the conference location are deductible[1][2][3].

3. Non-deductible expenses:
- Meals and lodging costs during the conference are not deductible as medical expenses[1][2].

4. Purpose: The primary purpose of attending the conference should be to obtain medical information related to the condition, not for personal reasons or general health improvement[3].

5. Itemization requirement: To claim these deductions, you must itemize your deductions on Schedule A of Form 1040 or 1040-SR, rather than taking the standard deduction[3].

6. AGI threshold: Keep in mind that medical expenses are only deductible if they exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income (AGI)[3].

It's important to note that while the conference costs can be deductible, they are subject to the same rules and limitations as other medical expenses. Always keep detailed records of your expenses and consult with a tax professional if you have specific questions about your situation.

Citations:
[1] https://www.taxnotes.com/lr/resolve/tax-notes-today-federal/conference-cost-deductible-as-medical-expense/10rl5
[2] https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/tax-credits-deductions/discussion/are-medical-conference-expenses-registration-fees-transportation-food-expenses-tax-deductible-for-a/00/272080
[3] https://www.investopedia.com/articles/personal-finance/081615/20-medical-expenses-you-didnt-know-you-could-deduct.asp
[4] https://kahnlitwin.com/blogs/tax-blog/are-conference-and-seminar-expenses-tax-deductible-part-1
[5] https://cookcpagroup.com/medical-expenses-you-didnt-know-were-deductible/