Can an NFL linebacker deduct massage expenses?

At James Harrison’s introductory press conference for the Cincinnati Bengals, the NFL linebacker revealed that he spends around $500,000 yearly on his body, reports Tony Nitti for Forbes.

“My body is what helps me to make money,” said Harrison at the press conference, adding that the money goes to personal training, massages and other physical therapy.

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Harrison’s total compensation in 2012 as a Pittsburg Steeler was $9 million, reports Nitti. So he spends 5.5% of his income keeping himself healthy.

But are those expenses tax-deductible?

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According to U.S. law, there is a precedent for deducting expenses related to flying in and paying trainers, reports Nitti.

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Massages, on the other hand, are counted as nondeductible personal expenses if they are not considered treatment for diagnosable conditions. Harrison, however, says massages represent a necessary part of keeping himself fit to do his job and therefore count as business expenses.

Read: Back to basics at tax time

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Staff

The staff of Advisor.ca have been covering news for financial advisors since 1998.