Using VA medical, is it better for the Vet to receive travel pay from the VA or claim the travel as a medical expense on Fed taxes?

2017-04-12T15:25:44-04:00

Response by TSgt David L. made Apr 12 at 2017 3:28 PM

2017-04-12T15:28:05-04:00

It is easy to claim reimbursement for travel. Why bother with taxes, IMO.

Response by SP5 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 12 at 2017 5:53 PM

2017-04-12T17:53:20-04:00

MSgt George Cater The travel pay dollar is a dollar. A dollar in deductions is only a percent of the expense dollar based on rhe marginal tax rate - once the threshold of the deduction is reached, and assuming an itemized return versus the "standard" deduction. Good thought provoking question.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Apr 12 at 2017 9:13 PM

2017-04-12T21:13:51-04:00

Medical doesn't count for taxes until your expenses hit a certain percentage of the adjusted gross income. That means you can spend a lot and not see any benefit on your taxes. Even if you go above AGI, you only get pennies back on the tax dollar. So I'd expect that if VA is covering most everything (same goes for Tricare) you'll never see a dent in your taxes anyways. Take the reimbursement money and run.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Apr 12 at 2017 9:22 PM

2017-04-12T21:22:10-04:00

You need to meet the qualifications:

https://www.va.gov/HEALTHBENEFITS/vtp/beneficiary_travel.asp

Beneficiary Travel (BT) - Health Benefits

The Beneficiary Travel (BT) program reimburses eligible Veterans for those costs incurred while traveling to and from VA health care facilities. The BT program may also provide pre-approved transportation solutions.

Response by LtCol Robert Quinter made Apr 15 at 2017 8:17 PM

2017-04-15T20:17:21-04:00

I believe the VA will only pay travel if you are referred to a facility other than your normal facility, or when you go for an evaluation. I deduct travel from my income tax for normal visits (65 mile round trip) and take the VA payment when they send me elsewhere.

Response by SPC Randall Pendley made May 4 at 2017 6:05 PM

2017-05-04T18:05:30-04:00

VA money is non taxable. So some don't have to file taxes. So what then.

Response by CW2 William Stanton made May 8 at 2019 10:41 PM

2019-05-08T22:41:45-04:00

Why are vets charged a deductible on mileages (known as surcharge)? Federal employees don’t pay a surcharge. What’s the rationale for doing so?