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?

MSgt George Cater — Wed, 12 Apr 2017 15:25:44 -0400

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

TSgt David L. — Wed, 12 Apr 2017 15:28:05 -0400

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

SP5 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Apr 2017 17:53:20 -0400

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

CAPT Kevin B. — Wed, 12 Apr 2017 21:13:51 -0400

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

CW3 Kevin Storm — Wed, 12 Apr 2017 21:22:10 -0400

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

LtCol Robert Quinter — Sat, 15 Apr 2017 20:17:21 -0400

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

SPC Randall Pendley — Thu, 04 May 2017 18:05:30 -0400

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

CW2 William Stanton — Wed, 08 May 2019 22:41:45 -0400

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?