Deducting Long-Term-Care Premiums
For most policies, a portion of the premiums counts toward deductible medical expenses.

Is it true that I can deduct my long-term-care insurance premiums on my tax return this spring? Can I write off the entire premium?
If you have a tax-qualified long-term-care insurance policy, you can count a portion of the premium as a tax-deductible medical expense. Medical expenses are deductible to the extent they exceed 10% of your adjusted gross income (or more than 7.5% of AGI if you’re 65 or older). Most long-term-care policies issued in the past several years meet the requirements (ask your insurer about yours). See IRS Publication 502 for more information about eligible long-term-care policies.
The deductible amount is based on your age. If you’re 40 or younger, you can deduct up to $370 of your annual premiums for 2014. You can deduct up to $700 if you’re 41 to 50; up to $1,400 if you’re 51 to 60; up to $3,720 if you’re 61 to 70; and up to $4,660 if you’re 71 or older.

Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
You can also deduct other medical expenses that aren’t reimbursed by insurance -- see IRS Publication 502, Medical and Dental Expenses, for a full list of eligible expenses. Medical expenses are an itemized deduction on Schedule A.
Get Kiplinger Today newsletter — free
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.

As the "Ask Kim" columnist for Kiplinger's Personal Finance, Lankford receives hundreds of personal finance questions from readers every month. She is the author of Rescue Your Financial Life (McGraw-Hill, 2003), The Insurance Maze: How You Can Save Money on Insurance -- and Still Get the Coverage You Need (Kaplan, 2006), Kiplinger's Ask Kim for Money Smart Solutions (Kaplan, 2007) and The Kiplinger/BBB Personal Finance Guide for Military Families. She is frequently featured as a financial expert on television and radio, including NBC's Today Show, CNN, CNBC and National Public Radio.
-
Four Financial Shocks Retirees Face and How to Avoid Them
Turn these financial shocks into mere "bothers" with a little foresight and preparation.
-
Time to Spring-Clean Your Finances: A Financial Professional's Four Steps to Tidy Them Up
A midyear review of everything from spending to saving, with adjustments as needed, can set you on track to financial security. Plus, don't forget to check in on your workplace benefits.
-
Ask the Editor, May 9 — Reader Questions on QCDs
In our latest Ask the Editor round-up, Joy Taylor, The Kiplinger Tax Letter Editor, answers questions on qualified charitable distributions (QCDs).
-
Ask the Editor, May 4 — Questions on Tax Deductions, Losses
In our Ask the Editor series, Joy Taylor, The Kiplinger Tax Letter Editor, answers readers' questions on tax deductions and losses.
-
Ask the Editor: Reader Questions, April 25 — 529 plans
In our latest Ask the Editor round-up, Joy Taylor, The Kiplinger Tax Letter Editor, answers questions related to 529 plans.
-
Tax Day 2025: Don’t Miss These Freebies, Food Deals and Discounts
Tax Day You can score some sweet deals on April 15 in some select restaurants like Burger King, Shake Shack, and more.
-
U.S. Treasury to Eliminate Paper Checks: What It Means for Tax Refunds, Social Security
Treasury President Trump signed an executive order forcing the federal government to phase out paper check disbursements by the fall.
-
Key 2025 IRS Updates: What You Need to Know
From IRA contributions to Social Security COLAs and the standard deduction, several changes are headed our way. Get ready to make the most of them.
-
2025 Family Tax Credits: Four IRS Changes That Can Save You Money
Family Tax Credits Explore the new IRS-adjusted amounts for popular family tax credits.
-
The Big CPA Shortage Problem in Accounting: What it Means for Your Tax Return
Career This once resilient accounting industry is cracking, as the labor force seems in dire straits. It’s also affecting the IRS.