Not too long ago I wrote about how the IRS has ruled that breastpumps and related supplies do not qualify as an expense for which families can use their tax-sheltered flexible savings account funds.
This week the IRS reversed that position, Reuters reports:
Last year, the American Academy of Pediatrics asked the IRS to allow this deduction, but the agency initially refused.
"The IRS didn't really figure this would be a medical need versus a social or cosmetic need," Dr. Richard Schanler, head of the physician group's breast-feeding committee that has been lobbying for years for the deduction.
The IRS, in a statement, said the agency changed course after concluding breast pumps were equivalent to obstetric care and affected a woman's body. The rule takes effect for 2010 tax filings, due April 18.
For those of you who have flexible spending accounts (and I know that's not everyone), this is great news.
Added 2/11: And anyone can count these as medical expenses on their taxes, though you can only count medical expenses exceeding 7.5% of your adjusted gross income, and you have itemize, so not everyone will be able to use this deduction.
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