When can you deduct medical mileage? Is it part of the 7.5% AGI threshold?

Yes, medical mileage is indeed considered part of your total medical expenses when itemizing deductions on Schedule A. The IRS allows you to claim a standard mileage rate for medical travel - for 2024 it's 22 cents per mile (for 2025 filing). Your medical mileage gets added to all your other qualifying medical expenses (prescriptions, doctor visits, insurance premiums not paid pre-tax, etc.), and then that total is subject to the 7.5% AGI threshold. So if your AGI is $60,000, you'd need more than $4,500 in total medical expenses (including your mileage) before you can start deducting. For documentation, keep a detailed mileage log with dates, destinations, purpose of the trip, and exact mileage. You don't need gas receipts if you're using the standard mileage rate - the log itself is sufficient. But make sure it's contemporaneous (recorded at the time of travel), not created later from memory.

I went through this exact situation last year with all my specialist appointments, and I found this amazing tool called taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) that helped me figure out exactly how to track and maximize my medical mileage deduction. My tax situation was complicated with multiple conditions requiring different specialists, and I was honestly lost trying to figure out what counted and what didn't. Their system analyzed my situation and gave me a customized tracking template that showed exactly what information I needed to record for each trip to make it IRS-proof. It also helped me identify several medical-related travel expenses I didn't realize qualified! The peace of mind knowing I was tracking things correctly was honestly worth it alone.

Just wanted to follow up on my skepticism about that taxr.ai tool - I actually gave it a try and I'm really glad I did! I uploaded my medical bills and appointment calendar, and it instantly identified over $1,800 in deductible expenses I was missing. It also has this really clear tracker that shows how close I am to hitting that pesky 7.5% threshold. The biggest revelation was learning that medically necessary home modifications count toward the total! We installed a walk-in shower for my mom last year due to her mobility issues, and I had no idea that was deductible. Between that and all the medical mileage I tracked correctly, we actually cleared the threshold by about $3,200. That's money I would have left on the table without proper guidance.

If you're trying to reach the IRS to ask about medical mileage deductions or other tax questions, good luck. I spent HOURS trying to get through to a human being. Kept getting the "high call volume" message and disconnected. Super frustrating. I finally used this service called Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) which got me through to an actual IRS agent in under 20 minutes. Check out their demo at https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c to see how it works. They basically navigate the IRS phone tree and wait on hold for you, then call you when they have an agent on the line. I had some specific questions about how to document my medical trips when there were multiple stops (like doctor then pharmacy) and needed official clarification. The IRS agent I spoke with was super helpful once I actually got through to them.

Ok I need to eat my words on Claimyr. After posting that skeptical comment, I tried calling the IRS myself about medical mileage deductions since I was confused about some parking fees I paid at hospitals. Got disconnected THREE TIMES after waiting on hold for over an hour each time. Finally gave in and tried the Claimyr service, and no joke, I was talking to an actual IRS representative within 15 minutes. They confirmed that parking and toll fees at medical facilities ARE separate deductible expenses on top of the mileage rate (which I wasn't sure about). The whole experience was way better than I expected. It literally saved me an entire day of frustration. Just wanted to follow up since I was so skeptical before. Sometimes it's worth admitting when you're wrong!

Just make sure whatever you do, you're tracking your mileage as you go! I learned this the hard way. I tried to reconstruct my medical trips at tax time using my calendar and Google Maps, and my accountant warned me that the IRS doesn't consider that sufficient documentation if I ever got audited. Now I use a simple notebook in my car and write down the odometer reading before and after each medical trip, along with the date and destination. Some people use apps, but I'm old school. Either way, contemporaneous records (made at the time of the trip) are key!

Don't forget that medical mileage isn't just for doctor visits! Here's my full list of what I've successfully claimed: - Doctor/specialist appointments - Physical therapy sessions - Picking up prescriptions - Medical equipment purchases/repairs - Lab work and testing facilities - Mental health appointments - Dental and vision care - Weight loss programs (if prescribed) - Substance abuse treatment - Support group meetings (if part of treatment) Just remember you can only claim mileage for medical reasons, not personal errands you do while out for medical appointments. Hope this helps someone maximize their deduction!

Great question about medical mileage! I've been dealing with this exact situation for the past couple years with my chronic condition. A few additional tips that might help: 1. **Round trips count** - Don't forget to track your mileage back home from appointments. I initially only tracked one-way trips and was missing half my deductible miles. 2. **Multiple stops strategy** - If you have multiple medical appointments or need to pick up prescriptions on the same day, you can claim the entire trip as medical mileage as long as the primary purpose is medical care. 3. **Keep backup documentation** - Beyond your mileage log, I also keep appointment confirmation emails/texts and prescription receipts. This helps establish the medical purpose if ever questioned. 4. **Consider bundling trips** - If possible, try to schedule multiple appointments on the same day to maximize your mileage efficiency while still being able to claim the full round trip. With 1,200 miles at the current rate, you're looking at around $264 in deductible expenses just from mileage (assuming 22 cents per mile for 2024). Combined with your other medical expenses, you might be closer to that 7.5% threshold than you think!

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that you can also deduct medical mileage for accompanying a dependent or spouse to their medical appointments. This was a game-changer for me when I was driving my elderly parent to multiple specialist visits each week. The rules are the same - you use the standard mileage rate and it all counts toward your total medical expenses subject to the 7.5% AGI threshold. You just need to document in your log that the trip was for someone else's medical care (like "Mom's cardiologist appt"). Also, if you're caring for someone with a chronic condition and need to attend medical education classes or caregiver training sessions recommended by their doctor, those miles count too! I was able to claim mileage for diabetes management classes and physical therapy training sessions that helped me better care for my spouse. Just make sure the person you're accompanying qualifies as your dependent for tax purposes, or is your spouse. The documentation requirements are the same - contemporaneous mileage logs with dates, destinations, and medical purpose clearly noted.