Can You Take a Tax Break for Going Gluten-Free?
You may be able to write off the costs of your special diet if you have celiac disease.


If you’re among the one in five Americans making a lifestyle choice to avoid gluten -- a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley -- or the one in 100 Americans diagnosed with celiac disease, which prohibits gluten intake, you’ve likely seen your food costs go up.
Restaurants often charge more for gluten-free pizza crust or pasta, for example. And at the grocery store, we found a Freschetta five-cheese medley pizza for $6.99, compared with the gluten-free version at $11.99. Likewise, a box of regular Betty Crocker yellow cake mix costs $2.29, while the gluten-free version is $4.99.
Did you know you might be eligible for a tax break to help offset some of those costs?
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Be a smarter, better informed investor.

Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free 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.
The weight-loss area of the tax law offers guidance for restricted diets, says Mark Luscombe, principal federal tax analyst for Wolters Kluwer Tax & Accounting US. “That says if you are on a restricted diet for a particular disease and if you have a doctor’s certification that you should be on such a diet, you can treat it as a medical expense,” he explains.
IRS Information Letter 2011-0035 affirms the tax break: “…the excess cost of specially prepared foods designed to treat a medical condition over the cost of ordinary foods which would have been consumed but for the condition is an expense for medical care.”But claiming the tax break isn’t without hurdles. For starters, you must have certification from a doctor that you have a medically necessitated diet due to celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder in which the ingestion of gluten leads to damage in the small intestine, or a wheat allergy. Going gluten-free as a beneficial lifestyle choice isn’t going to cut it.
Except with products such as xanthan gum and sorghum flour, for which there is no gluten-filled alternative, you’ll only be able to deduct the difference in cost between gluten-free food and “normal” food. Be sure to hold on to all of your receipts to keep track of your costs and support your deductions; scribble the cost of the cheaper, gluten-filled alternatives on the back of your receipts.
You can deduct medical expenses only if you itemize and only if they exceed 10% of your adjusted gross income (or 7.5% if you were born before January 2, 1952). All of your eligible medical expenses can be combined to try to exceed that 10% threshold. If you have any other health considerations, check IRS Publication 502, Medical and Dental Expenses to see if they can also be written off.
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.

-
S&P 500 Hits New Highs as Rally Resumes: Stock Market Today
Tech stocks were the biggest gainers on Wall Street today, with Nvidia and Dell making notable moves.
-
The Shutdown Standoff Is Heading for Its Next Big Test
A key mid-October deadline could intensify the shutdown fight in Washington, and the fallout could soon hit workers and your wallet.
-
New Tax Rules: Income the IRS Won’t Touch in 2025
Income Taxes From financial gifts to Roth withdrawal rules, here’s what income stays tax-free under the new Trump 2025 tax bill, and some information on what’s changed.
-
Three Popular Tax Breaks Are Gone for Good in 2026
Tax Breaks Here's a list of federal tax deductions and credits that you can't claim in the 2026 tax year. Plus, high-income earners could get hit by a 'surprise' tax bill.
-
Tax Brackets 2025 Quiz: How Much Do You Know?
Quiz Test your knowledge of IRS rules that impact how much money you keep in your wallet.
-
Retirees Face a Growing Capital Gains Tax Trap: What's Next?
Home Sales A changing housing market and unchanged IRS exclusion amounts can add up to a headache for many homeowners. Will Congress offer a fix?
-
New York Inflation Refund Checks Are Coming Soon: What to Know Now
Tax Relief Inflation relief checks are on the way for over 8 million New York taxpayers. Here's a full breakdown of who gets a payment and when you may expect yours.
-
Mortgage Refinance in 2025? These Tax Breaks Can Boost Your Savings
Tax Breaks Refinancing your mortgage comes with tax implications, but also opportunities to deduct certain expenses on your return.
-
IRS Phasing Out Paper Checks: What Happens After September 30?
Tax Changes Avoid delays when IRS tax refunds and Social Security paper checks are cut off. Here’s what to know.
-
The Most Tax-Friendly States for Investing in 2025 (Hint: There Are Two)
State Taxes Living in one of these places could lower your 2025 investment taxes — especially if you invest in real estate.