Now is the time to talk with your tax preparer to understand the other 2013 changes to your itemized deductions

The rules are changing if you plan to itemize medical deductions on your 2013 federal tax return that you will file in 2014. It does not affect income tax returns for the 2012 taxable year filed in 2013.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2013, you can claim deductions for medical expenses not covered by your health insurance that exceed 10 percent of your adjusted gross income. This change affects your 2013 tax return that you will file in 2014.

There is a temporary exemption from Jan. 1, 2013 to Dec. 31, 2016 for individuals age 65 and older and their spouses. If you or your spouses are 65 years or older or turned 65 during the tax year you are allowed to deduct unreimbursed medical care expenses that exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income. The threshold remains at 7.5% of AGI for those taxpayers until Dec. 31, 2016.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2017, all taxpayers may deduct only the amount of the total un reimbursed allowable medical care expenses for the year that exceeds 10% of your adjusted gross income.