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The Tooth Hurts
Obamacare’s tooth tax takes effect on January 1
With all the chatter about the fiscal cliff, you may not have heard of a tax change that will take effect on January 1 — and why going to the dentist now may be the right response to it.
If you’re under 65, on January 1 your medical tax deduction rate (including expenses for dental work) will take a big jump from 7.5% of gross income to 10%. (No change for folks 65 and older.)
If you’re like me, your health insurance pays a minimal amount for routine dental work — with most of the dentist’s bill being paid out of your own pocket. And if, God forbid, you should need additional work (filling cavities, etc.), you end up paying for most of that too.
A couple of cleaning visits plus a little extra corrective work can add up to a tidy sum that, when added to other medical expenses, may reach the 7.5% goalpost.
While this handy IRS bulletin spells out the bad news about the changes in medical deductions, it doesn’t explain why the goalpost was moved up to 10%.
The “why” involves paying for Obamacare. This extra tax burden on the middle class is just one of those teensy-weensy things Nancy Pelosi referred to when she said, “We have to pass the bill so you can find out what’s in it.”
So if you’re under 65 and have been putting off having dental work done, wait no longer — and do NOT accept an appointment in January.
If you’re a dentist, I suggest that you inform your clients about the tax change. (I’ve noticed optometrists have been encouraging their clients to spend down their health savings accounts in December.) While you’re at it, keep your offices open during the evenings and weekends to accommodate those last-minute clients.
Menderman
December 17th, 2012
they are even gonna tax the fillings in your teeth!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBTGfteCZZA
..
CrustyB
December 17th, 2012
Well, can’t I just go with a medical policy that doesn’t…oh wait. I forgot. This isn’t a free country anymore.
Kevin R.
December 17th, 2012
Better living through oligarchical collectivism.
Tracy
December 17th, 2012
I GOT NO CHOICE!
Tracy
December 17th, 2012
Anyone who voted for Obama in 2012 with freebies in mind has another thing coming . . . getting him elected ruined things for EVERYONE.
Twellsy
December 17th, 2012
Tax #345 for obamacare. That son of a bitch is gonna drain us dry just so he can have his “crowning achievement”. Working for the middle class? Road apples!
Twellsy
December 17th, 2012
Some day the left will realize that these dumb asses aren’t gonna take the money just from the people they hate. They want everybodys. Douchebags.
hanoverfist
December 17th, 2012
Those are wind up Latisha Teeth.
They talk nothing but Ghetto jibberish.
Reiuxcat
December 17th, 2012
Well, the 7.5% rate was only in effect for one year. It had been 10% all along. I only know this because I do my own taxes and I always fell short of the 10%. (fairly healthy for an old guy)
Did y’all notice, under GWB, the Pelosi congress lowered the child tax credit age to 17 from 22 (I think) in 2007. I learned that when I could not take that credit for my daughter who was a senior and she had turned 18 in April.
There bleeding us dry, oh so slowly.
Unruly Refugee
December 17th, 2012
Anybody know where I can get a Mexican birth certificate, name change, and cheap & fast Spanish lessons?
That’s my new medical insurance plan.