Deducting Fitness Club Membership Costs

$1900/year? wtf? I pay $240/year for 2 people (I know that's low)

Why should gym membership be tax deductable? Just stay home, become obese, and write off the medical expenses of your cardiac bypass surgery.

anyone know what the chances of this passing are?

if it looks good... it might be a good time to invest some money with the Devil... AKA a national gym corporation.

Get a note from your doctor saying yuo are fat and have to join the fitness club. Or tell your employer not to pay for you and join a cheaper club.

Swivelguy said: Gyms that look like this should be tax deductible: Good

Gyms that look like this shouldn't: Bad

Meh! Your standards are too low. If my tax dollars are subsidizing gyms, it better be for this type of gym: Good

I would have more than just rock hard abs...

Jobowoo said: I am aware of the PHIT Act that would allow taxpayers to deduct fitness club membership fees among other things. However, this act hasn't passed yet.

Right now my employer pays for my fitness club membership but it is reported at imputed income on my pay stub at a rate of $80 per pay period. So I am effectively paying taxes on the $1900/year membership. Is there any way I can deduct this for my 2009 tax returns?

If you are paying taxes on $1900 per year, and you are at about 30%, that would cost you over $600 per year. 24/hr fitness sport costs me $100 per year. It may be more worth it to you to opt out, if possible and join a cheaper gym.

Then again, if you can write it off, it wont matter.

Some of you guys have cheap gyms nearby. All the big chains are at least $60-70/mo near me (DC Metro area). Those contract places (like Bally's) can be had for $20/month, but you have to stay at that particular gym for 2 years.

My work only deducts taxes if you're forced to go to a gym for health reasons (signed by doctor).

ThursdaysChild said: Get a note from your doctor saying yuo are fat and have to join the fitness club. Or tell your employer not to pay for you and join a cheaper club.

Even if it were a qualified medical expense (which it's not), it would be subject to the 7.5% floor. Only medical expenses in excess of 7.5% of AGI are deductible.


from Pub 502:

You can include in medical expenses amounts you pay to lose weight if it is a treatment for a specific disease diagnosed by a physician (such as obesity, hypertension, or heart disease). This includes fees you pay for membership in a weight reduction group as well as fees for attendance at periodic meetings. You cannot include membership dues in a gym, health club, or spa as medical expenses, but you can include separate fees charged there for weight loss activities.

You cannot include in medical expenses the cost of a weight-loss program if the purpose of the weight loss is the improvement of appearance, general health, or sense of well-being. You cannot include amounts you pay to lose weight unless the weight loss is a treatment for a specific disease diagnosed by a physician (such as obesity, hypertension, or heart disease). If the weight-loss treatment is not for a specific disease diagnosed by a physician, you cannot include either the fees you pay for membership in a weight reduction group or fees for attendance at periodic meetings. Also, you cannot include membership dues in a gym, health club, or spa.