Question

Cliff, who has a killer sweet tooth, decided he wanted to work on losing weight this year. He joined NutriSystem to enable him to have a healthier diet. The cost of the program was $59 per month plus $100 per week for meals. Can Cliff deduct these expenses?

Pelase calculate and answer the question:Can Cliff deduct these expenses?

Answer 1

Cliff can deduct only the expenses of cost of the program I.e, $59

Because you cannot deduct the cost of diet food or beverages in medical expenses because the diet food and beverages substitute for what is normally consumed to satisfy nutritional needs. You can include the cost of special food in medical expenses only if:

1. The food does not satisfy normal nutritional needs,
2. The food alleviates or treats an illness, and
3. The need for the food is substantiated by a physician.

Hence, cliff can deduct only fees i.e, $ 59 and meals expenses cannot be deducted