Should you pay tax on Botox?

Question

I've had botox with 3 different injectors? 2 were plastic surgeons who never charged me tax. The last person works at a spa and included tax. Is botox taxable? Many thanks.

Julia Ann Sullivan Miller, MD · Answer

Tax on Botox depends on the state and the injector (medical professional or lay person).  At one time, all cosmetic procedures were taxed in NJ, whether they were performed by a licensed physician or not.  This, however, is no longer the case.  Other states will tax Botox as a luxury item when it is not performed by a physician.

Jerome Edelstein, MD · Answer

In Toronto, Ontario, tax is always charged on Botox for cosmetic purposes. You should find out what the law is in your state. It may be that when performed by a surgeon or doctor, there is no tax.

J. Jason Wendel, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question.Taxable botox can depend on what type of office you go to and who is injecting. Each state has their own requirements. To be sure, see two or more board-certified providers in your area for a complete evaluation to make sure you are a good candidate and that it is safe for you to have treatment.I hope this helps.

Hratch Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

I think there was a provision that Bloomberg wanted to pass where they taxed cosmetic procedures but it did not succeed. Here is a link for you to read.

Robert L. Kraft, MD, FACS · Answer

Botox is not taxable as between the patient and the doctor. New York took some preliminary steps to impose sales tax at the doctor/patient level but then reversed itself.  Other states are already doing so.  When we order Botox or fillers from the manufacturers (and we only order from them and do not purchase on the "gray market")  we are charged sales tax and this is included in how we calculate the per unit charge.

F. Victor Rueckl, MD (in memoriam) · Answer

This is a fun question and it depends on your state. As a physician, injecting a medication, which is what Botox is classified as per the FDA, is a medical procedure and not taxable. As a non-physician, sometimes the state will require that office to charge and collect sales tax, because they aren't a physician injector and cannot perform medical procedures under a non-tax mandate. So it depends on your state and the regulations. Remember that a procedure that costs a couple hundred dollars per time and is taxable - hell yeah - your state wants to collect that as taxable and will do so every chance they can. "This
answer has been solicited without seeing this patient and cannot be
held as true medical advice, but only opinion. Seek in-person treatment
with a trained medical professional for appropriate care."

Should you pay tax on Botox?

Answers (6)

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