Current tax declaration 2015 claim drug costs

Extraordinary charges: deduct drug costs for tax purposes
Most Germans are now likely to have the documents together to settle their tax returns for the past year. Just in time comes a tip from the German Pharmacists Association. This indicates that taxpayers can claim drug expenditures as "exceptional burdens".

Several billion euros in additional payment
The doctors in Germany prescribe more and more drugs. Consequently, the insured also pay a larger contribution to co-payments. According to the pharmaceutical association Pro Generika, in 2014 patients had to pay two billion euros out of their own pocket for medicines. According to the association, this tendency has been going on for years. A small consolation is that the German citizens can claim pharmaceutical expenses in the tax return as extraordinary charges. The German Pharmacists Association (DAV) has informed all taxpayers who are currently preparing their income tax return for the past year 2015.

The cost of medicines can be deducted from the tax. (Image: grafikplusfoto / fotolia.com)

Costs in the tax declaration assert
The costs that can be deducted include statutory co-payments of between five and ten euros per prescription drug as well as self-medication investments. In order for the tax office to recognize the expenses, taxpayers must, in addition to the supporting documents, provide proof of medical necessity, according to the DAV. This can be done via a green prescription, on which the doctor recommends a medication to the patient, which is not actually reimbursed by the health insurance. However, there are now many funds that reimburse the cost of over-the-counter medicines.

Pharmacists support customers
"If patients have to spend money on their health, they should also take advantage of the opportunity to have the costs credited for tax purposes," said DAV patient representative Claudia Berger. "Many pharmacies support their customers in proving drug expenses," says the expert. This works, for example, via a customer card. The pharmacy could then subsequently print a cost list, which the tax office recognized. As the DAV further explained, however, the expenses are only tax-reducing if patients have exceeded the reasonable limit. This varies depending on income, marital status and number of children between one and seven percent.

Costs for Naturopathy deductible
In addition to co-payments and self-medication expenses, other medical expenses can be considered. For example, naturopathic treatments are tax deductible, as decided several years ago. In addition to treatments by naturopaths or homeopaths, the costs for physiotherapists, speech therapists and dentists as well as hospital stays, cures or medical aids such as glasses or shoe inserts can be considered. And a few years ago it was reported that you can deduct even sperm donations from the tax. (Ad)