Rhiannon O'Donnabhain challenged the IRS and won. She was audited after deducting $5,000 in expenses from her gender reassignment surgery (also known as a sex change operation) on her taxes. The IRS claimed the surgeries were "cosmetic" and Rhiannon argued that the surgery was about more than improving appearance, and that surgery is a reasonable treatment for Gender Identity Disorder (GID).
The tax court rejected the idea that gender reassignment surgery could be equated with cosmetic procedures, such as breast augmentation or rhinoplasty. The Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders (GLAD) celebrated the tax case as a victory for transgendered people in America.
I'm quite pleased with this ruling, I think it is a step toward acknowledging the fact that this is not an issue that is all about appearance and is quite deeper than vanity surgery. What do you think?
Keep up with surgery news and information by signing up for the Surgery Newsletter.
Check out the Surgery Forums for surgery discussions, support and more!
