Senate Finance Committee Proposing a 10% Tax on Cosmetic Surgeries

Thinking of getting Jennifer Aniston’s nose? Or perhaps Kate Gosselin’s tummy tuck? You might have to pony up a little extra cash to do so, if Congress has its way.

According to recent reports surrounding a meeting of the Senate Finance Committee, certain cosmetic surgery procedures would be assessed a 10 percent excise tax – above and beyond the already-expensive price tag that usually accompanies such procedures.

The reasoning behind such a tax? Sources close to Senate Finance Committee members say it would help fund some of the trillion-dollar healthcare overhaul plan.

Is This a New Idea?

Actually, many states have tried to pass such a tax in the past, but New Jersey is the only one that has a tax in place on cosmetic surgeries. But, according to experts, it’s not helping much. In fact, the tax has only generated about 25 percent of anticipated revenue since it’s passing in 2004. What’s more, opponents to the tax claim that it adds time, money and headaches to everyone’s plate, especially when it comes to deciding which procedures should be taxed, and which are exempt.

What’s Taxable – and What’s Not?

Here’s where it gets a bit tricky . . . if you’re thinking of getting a nose job, Botox injections, liposuction, or bigger breasts, get ready to pay. But, if you’re simply looking to improve your vision with laser eye surgery, or you need certain reconstructive surgery after cancer (typically breast cancer), then you’d be exempt.

What gets sticky is the fine line between some procedures and others. Case in point – a New Jersey woman fought the law (and eventually won) when she had surgery to remove a huge mass of skin that was left when she lost 100-plus pounds. Normally this would fall under the “tummy-tuck” type procedure and not count as a deduction. But the woman (and her lawyers) convinced the court that the mass was unhealthy due to high risk of infection – and the fact that it was interfering with her work as a nurse.

And what about all the celebs who claim that they had nose work done due to a “deviated septum”? It seems like the oldest trick in the book in regards to rhinoplasty procedures, but it may just get a few people out of the new tax.

Taxing the Rich?

Celebrities aren’t the only ones who get cosmetic surgery! In fact, the average (and apparently average-looking) cosmetic surgery patient makes less than $100,000 a year, according to statistics. So, if you’re one of the dreamers who saves your loose change and hoards your recycling to earn a little extra cash in hopes of one day getting that butt lift or boob enhancement, then you might need to save just a little longer to cover the extra cost.

They’re Not Fooling Us

Despite some celebrities’ claims that they don’t – or won’t – go under the knife (ahem, Lauren Conrad), it’s likely that time will take its toll and eventually they will succumb. The question is . . . will they pay the IRS to do so?