Can you write off massages for tax purposes if your job destroys your back?

You have a few options here. Massages can potentially be deductible, but it depends on how you file and document them. If you're self-employed as a barber (file Schedule C), you might be able to deduct them as an ordinary and necessary business expense if you can show they're directly related to your business and not personal. You'd need to keep good records and possibly get a note from a doctor stating they're necessary for your occupation. If you're claiming them as medical expenses, you can only deduct the portion of your total medical expenses that exceeds 7.5% of your adjusted gross income (AGI). So if your AGI is $40,000, you'd need more than $3,000 in total medical expenses before you can start deducting. Plus, you'd need a doctor's prescription or recommendation showing they're medically necessary, not just for general wellness. Keep all receipts and get documentation from healthcare providers about the necessity of these treatments for your specific condition.

Hey, I had a similar situation with chronic pain from my job. I tried going the tax deduction route but it was complicated until I found taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) which actually analyzes your specific situation and tells you exactly what's deductible. I uploaded my massage receipts and doctor's note, and it immediately showed me how to properly document these as medical expenses for maximum deduction. It even found other deductions related to my job I had no idea about. Saved me from making mistakes that could have triggered an audit.

Just wanted to follow up about taxr.ai since I was skeptical in my earlier comment. I decided to try it before filing this year and it was actually really helpful. I'm also in a profession with physical strain (dental hygienist) and get regular physical therapy. The tool analyzed my specific situation and showed me that with my doctor's prescription, I could categorize these as legitimate medical expenses. But the best part was it showed me I was just under the 7.5% AGI threshold, so it suggested bundling some other planned medical expenses into this tax year to exceed the threshold. Never would have realized that on my own! Definitely worth checking out if you're trying to deduct massage therapy.

After reading through this thread, I wanted to share something that helped me with the IRS when I had questions about deducting physical therapy for my job-related back issues. I used this service called Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) that got me through to an actual IRS agent in about 15 minutes when I had been trying for days on my own. They have this cool demo video at https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c showing how it works. The agent I spoke with gave me specific guidance about what documentation I needed to deduct my therapy sessions. Basically confirmed everything said above but with official clarification directly from the IRS.

I have to eat my words from my skeptical comment earlier. After another frustrating morning trying to reach the IRS myself about my self-employment deductions (including massage therapy for my carpel tunnel), I broke down and tried Claimyr. Got through to an agent in about 20 minutes when I'd been trying for literally weeks on my own. The agent confirmed that with proper medical documentation, massage therapy for a documented medical condition can be deductible if it exceeds that 7.5% threshold. For self-employed folks, there might be an option to deduct it as a business expense if it's necessary for your work. Honestly worth it just to get a definitive answer from an actual IRS person instead of guessing.

I'm a tax preparer and see clients trying to deduct massages frequently. Here's what usually works: 1) Get a written recommendation from your doctor stating that massage therapy is necessary to treat a specific medical condition related to your work. 2) Keep detailed receipts showing dates, amounts, and that the service was performed by a licensed massage therapist. 3) If you're self-employed, consult with a tax professional about whether to claim it as a medical expense or business expense - it depends on your specific situation and which gives you the better deduction.

Has anyone actually been audited over massage deductions? I've been deducting mine for years (hairstylist with tendonitis) and never had an issue. I file Schedule C and list them as "preventative maintenance" for my body since it's literally the tool I use for my trade. Never needed a doctor's note or anything.

As someone who's dealt with similar issues from years of physical work, I'd strongly recommend getting proper medical documentation before claiming these deductions. Even if you've been getting away with it, the IRS has been cracking down more on business expense deductions that could be considered personal. The safest approach is to visit a doctor (or your chiropractor if you have one) and get a written recommendation stating that massage therapy is medically necessary for your work-related back and shoulder issues. This gives you two potential paths: either as a medical expense (if you can meet that 7.5% AGI threshold) or as a legitimate business expense with proper medical backing. I'd also suggest keeping a detailed log of how your symptoms affect your work performance - things like reduced mobility, pain levels, days you couldn't work, etc. This helps establish the direct connection between your job and the need for treatment. The $2,000+ you're spending annually is definitely worth protecting with proper documentation, especially since massage therapy is one of those gray areas the IRS scrutinizes more closely. Better to be over-documented than face an audit situation like some others have mentioned in this thread.

I work as a massage therapist and see a lot of clients who get regular treatments for work-related injuries like yours. From what I've observed with my clients who've successfully deducted these expenses, the key is really about establishing that medical necessity piece. A few things I've noticed that help clients with their documentation: Make sure you're seeing a licensed massage therapist (LMT) rather than someone at a spa - the IRS looks more favorably on treatments from licensed healthcare providers. Also, ask your therapist to note in their records the specific work-related conditions being treated and how the massage therapy addresses those issues. One strategy I've seen work well is to have your first few sessions specifically focused on assessment and treatment planning. A good LMT should be able to document the specific muscle tension patterns, postural issues, and movement restrictions caused by your barbering work, then create a treatment plan showing how regular massage addresses these occupational health issues. This creates a paper trail that goes beyond just "I get massages for back pain" to "I receive therapeutic massage as part of a documented treatment plan for occupational injuries caused by the repetitive motions and sustained postures required in my profession." The documentation piece really can make or break these deductions during an audit, so it's worth investing in that professional relationship with a licensed therapist who understands the tax implications.