How Can You Deduct Glasses from Taxes in Germany? – Deducting Glasses from Taxes – Here’s How

Do you live in Germany and wear glasses or a dental prosthesis? Then we have good news for you. The current German tax regulations clearly state that you can deduct the cost of glasses on your annual tax return. But that’s not all. Costs for physiotherapy, acupuncture, self-paid prescriptions, medication co-payments, as well as travel expenses for doctor visits and clinics also count as typical medical expenses that reduce tax liability. Read today’s article, discover the most important information and deduct your glasses from taxes – welcome!

glasses tax-deductible – it’s possible!

Tax refund for glasses or contact lenses? Deducting glasses on the tax return is at least possible in Germany. – according to current tax legislation. Currently, around 40 million German citizens are affected by a visual impairment, which results in them having to buy aids that enable them to work freely not only at work but also at home. Costs arise for both glasses and lenses, which can be specified and deducted in the tax return under certain conditions.

Glasses as an extraordinary expense or how can they be deducted from taxes in Germany?

Glasses must in the tax return not be declared as advertising expenses, but as an extraordinary expense be declared. This also applies if they are used exclusively for work, as they are considered medical aids and not work equipment. German taxpayers can take advantage of this opportunity if the health insurance does not cover the purchase of glasses or lenses and the price exceeds the burden threshold.

NOTE: Glasses can be deducted as advertising expenses from tax if your visual impairment is due to your work or a work accident. This also applies if they must be worn for safety reasons, e.g., glasses for laboratory or screen work.

Deduct glasses from taxes – individual burden threshold

As we have already mentioned, you must exceed the individual burden threshold, to be able to deduct these costs. This threshold greatly depends on your income, your marital status, and the number of your children. The co-payment amount is between 1% and 7% of your annual income. For example:

• for a married couple with one child and an annual income of €51,300 the amount is 3%, meaning such a couple can only deduct expenses that exceed €1,539 ,
• For a single person without children with an income of €30,000 the coverage is 6%, meaning in this case the person must pay up to €1,800 .

To deduct lenses or glasses on the tax return and to be eligible for a tax refund for them, the total costs for the entire tax year are decisive. It is therefore advisable to plan the purchase of these accessories so that you can later reduce your tax liability.

Costs for glasses – deducting glasses with proof of incurred costs on the tax return

I want to deduct my glasses from taxes – do I need to attach proof to my German tax return? Yes – receipts are required for the deduction of these medical aids Receipts required. But that’s not all: If you want to deduct lenses and glasses for extraordinary expenses, you also need a doctor’s certificate and an invoice.

Not every pair of glasses is deductible, how to deduct glasses from taxes – Who cannot expect a tax deduction?

As you already know, in Germany, both lenses and glasses are tax-deductible. Here is a very important point to mention – not every type can be specified in the tax return. Glasses or contact lenses worn only for fashion or cosmetic reasons are not medically necessary. That, in turn, means that a glasses tax refund is not possible in this case. This includes glasses with non-prescription lenses or colored contact lenses, which change the color of the eye without correcting the visual impairment.

Deduct glasses and contact lenses from taxes in Germany – with Taxando!

If you want to deduct your glasses from taxes but don’t know how to do it, use our new app for the Taxando tax return. With our software you know where to account for the incurred costs and how much your tax refund will be. With the PREMIUM package you can also always count on the help of an experienced tax advisor . Try it out and save yourself the stress of preparing a tax return.