Tax Tips for Chronic Illness (What to Track All Year)

Living with fibromyalgia or any chronic illness doesn’t just affect health—it reshapes finances. Doctor visits, medications, adaptive equipment, therapy sessions, lost work hours, and flare-related costs add up quickly. While most of those expenses feel like drains, there’s one area where you can reclaim some ground: taxes.

Tax season is stressful enough for healthy people. For those of us with unpredictable energy and brain fog, it can feel overwhelming. But here’s the truth I learned the hard way: if you wait until March or April to gather everything, you’ll burn out, miss deductions, and leave money on the table.

The real secret is year-round tracking. Small, consistent notes and receipts add up to big relief later. Once I started treating tax prep as a slow, ongoing habit instead of a last-minute sprint, I stopped dreading it—and started reclaiming money I didn’t realize I could.

Here’s a breakdown of what to track all year long if you live with chronic illness, plus strategies to make it spoon-friendly.

Medical Expenses to Track

The IRS and many other tax systems allow medical expense deductions once they pass a certain percentage of income. Chronic illness often pushes you past that threshold.

1. Doctor Visits

Specialists, primary care, urgent care, ER.
Copays and full self-pay visits.
Telehealth appointments.

Tip: Log dates and amounts as you go; don’t rely on memory.

2. Medications + Supplements

Prescription drugs.
Over-the-counter meds if prescribed by a doctor.
Medically necessary supplements (vitamin D, magnesium, etc.).

Tip: Keep pharmacy printouts. They’re gold at tax time.

3. Therapies + Treatments

Physical therapy, occupational therapy, counseling.
Alternative care (acupuncture, massage, chiropractic) if prescribed.
Pain management injections or procedures.

Tip: Ask providers for itemized receipts—it makes proving medical necessity easier.

4. Adaptive Equipment

Mobility aids: canes, braces, wheelchairs.
Ergonomic chairs or sit-stand desks if prescribed.
Home modifications for accessibility.

Tip: Take photos of equipment for your records, especially for big-ticket items.

5. Transportation for Medical Care

Mileage driven to appointments.
Parking fees, tolls, public transit, rideshare to/from clinics.

Tip: Keep a small mileage log or use an app. Even short trips add up.

6. Insurance Costs

Premiums (if not pre-tax).
Deductibles and copays.
Out-of-pocket maximum payments.

Tip: Save Explanation of Benefits (EOBs)—they summarize totals nicely.

Work + Income Tracking

Fibromyalgia often means reduced hours, side hustles, or disability income. Taxes shift when income is irregular.

1. Disability Income

Social Security Disability (sometimes taxable, sometimes not).
Private disability insurance payments.

Tip: Keep all benefit statements—you’ll need them for proof.

2. Side Hustles

Many fibro patients take on flexible side gigs.

Freelance income.
Etsy/digital sales.
Tutoring, consulting, online work.

Tip: Track every dollar earned, but also track expenses (internet, supplies, home office).

3. Work-From-Home Expenses

If you’re self-employed:

Portion of rent/mortgage.
Utilities, internet, phone.
Office supplies, ergonomic upgrades.

Tip: Take one day a year to measure your home workspace—it determines your percentage deduction.

Everyday Flare-Related Costs

Some hidden flare costs also count.

Caregiving support: Paid help with chores, transportation, or childcare if medically necessary.
Medical travel lodging: If you travel overnight for treatment, hotel + meals may qualify.
Medical conference fees: Patient education events sometimes count if tied to treatment.

Tip: Always ask: “Did this expense exist because of my illness?” If yes, save it.

Systems for Spoon-Friendly Tracking

Tracking doesn’t have to be a massive effort. Small, low-energy systems work best:

1. One Folder System

Keep a single physical folder and a single email folder labeled “Medical 2025 Taxes.” Drop every receipt, EOB, and bill into it. Done.

2. Monthly Review

Set a 10-minute reminder once a month: log mileage, scan receipts, update income. Bite-sized beats panic.

3. Apps + Tools

Mileage apps for trips.
Expense tracker apps or a simple spreadsheet.
Phone camera for snapping receipts instantly.

4. Buddy System

If brain fog makes it impossible, ask a trusted friend or caregiver to help organize monthly.

My Experience: Before vs. After

Before:

Piled all receipts in a shoebox.
Tried to sort during flare season (tax time).
Missed hundreds in deductions because I gave up halfway.

After:

Created one folder and monthly reminder.
Found $1,500+ more in deductible expenses one year.
Reduced stress because everything was already organized.

It didn’t just save money—it saved spoons.

Emotional Side of Taxes with Fibro

Taxes stir up guilt and grief. It’s hard to face paper proof of how expensive illness is. It feels unfair that you need to “justify” your suffering in numbers. What helps me:

Reframe: This isn’t weakness—it’s strategy.
Validate: Every receipt is proof you’re surviving something hard.
Reward: After each monthly tracking session, do something kind for yourself.

FAQs

1. Do medical expenses really make a difference?
Yes—chronic illness often pushes you over deduction thresholds. Always track.

2. Are supplements deductible?
Only if prescribed for your condition. Save the doctor’s note.

3. How do I track mileage without burning out?
Log once a month. Note total trips, miles, and dates instead of daily.

4. Do side hustles complicate taxes too much?
Not if you track as you go. Hustles can even increase deductible options.

5. Should I use an accountant?
Yes, if you can. Many specialize in disability or chronic illness cases.

6. What if I miss things?
Do your best. Even partial tracking saves more than none.

Final Thoughts

Fibromyalgia drains money in ways outsiders don’t see—but taxes are one of the rare places you can reclaim some of it. By tracking medical expenses, income shifts, and flare-related costs all year, you turn chaos into proof.

The system isn’t built to be kind, but year-round tracking makes it survivable—and sometimes even empowering. Every receipt is more than paper. It’s recognition of the real cost of chronic illness, and a way to take a little back.