According to The Sun, Americans who prioritize safe sex can now benefit from a new tax break thanks to an update from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Recent announcements have introduced new standardized deductions, tax brackets, and important details for the upcoming 2025 tax season.
Condoms Qualify as Medical Expenses
Among the key updates was “Notice 2024-71,” which specifies that condom purchases for a taxpayer, their spouse, or dependent can be considered a qualified medical expense. This means that condom purchases can be itemized as deductions when filing tax returns in the spring of 2026.
Eligibility Criteria
However, there is a catch. To include condoms as a deductible expense, the taxpayer’s total medical expenses must exceed 7.5% of their adjusted gross income (AGI) for the year 2025. Previously, some taxpayers could only list condoms as a deduction in unique cases, typically when they were used for medical reasons, such as preventing the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
According to Richard Pon, a public accountant from California, taxpayers had to provide proof of a medical reason for purchasing condoms, rather than simply treating them as contraceptives. “You had to prove you had a medical reason such as not spreading [an STI] rather than just as a contraceptive,” Pon explained.
Alternative Options for Obtaining Condoms
For several years, there have been additional ways for Americans to obtain condoms at no cost. Individuals with a health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA) can use these funds to purchase condoms, allowing for payment or reimbursement without tax implications.
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The IRS has set the contribution limits for 2025 at $4,300 for individuals and $8,550 for families with an HSA, while the limit for an FSA is $3,300.
Other Deductible Medical Expenses
Additionally, there are various medical-related expenses that Americans can also itemize for tax deductions. These include breast pumps and lactation supplies, DNA collection kits, smoking and nicotine withdrawal medications, and volunteer-related expenses, according to Pon.
Inflation Adjustments for Tax Credits
The IRS has also announced its “inflation adjustment” rule for the 2025 tax year, which could result in increased benefits for those eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). This refundable credit assists single Americans, couples, and families with low to moderate incomes.
Typically, there are about six requirements that taxpayers must meet to qualify, including earning an annual income below a specified threshold. For 2023, this threshold was set at $63,398.
For the 2025 tax year, families with three or more children could receive checks of up to $8,046 if they meet the qualifications, reflecting a $216 increase from the maximum benefit of $7,830 in 2024.
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