Personal Finance

Medical Expense Receipts: How to Organize Them Before Tax Time

A record-keeping checklist for medical expenses before tax preparation.

Medical expenses often come from many providers and may be paid by different family members, insurers or benefit plans.

Keep detailed receipts

Store the provider, patient, date, service or item and amount paid where available.

Track reimbursements

Keep benefit statements or insurance records so you can distinguish the amount paid from the amount ultimately borne by the taxpayer.

Group records by person and date

Organizing by patient and payment date can make later eligibility review easier.

Do not decide eligibility from the merchant name alone

Eligibility can depend on the type of expense, provider and other facts. Keep the source document and confirm uncertain items when preparing the return.

Official sources