Deducting Healthcare Costs from Taxes: These Cantons Offer the Biggest Savings!
Did you know that your healthcare expenses are tax-deductible? Depending on the canton, the rules differ significantly – from 0% deductible in Basel-Landschaft to 5% in most other cantons. Here are the details!
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High Medical or Dental Costs This Year? Then you could be missing out on significant tax savings! While many Swiss simply pay their medical bills, few realize: a large portion of these costs can be deducted from taxes – if you know the cantonal differences.
What You Can Deduct from Taxes
In principle, all healthcare costs not covered by insurance are deductible. These include:
- Deductible and co-payments under basic insurance
- Prescription glasses and contact lenses
- Treatments from licensed alternative practitioners
- Dental expenses of all kinds
- All other illness- and accident-related costs paid out of pocket
The Decisive Factor: Cantonal Deductibles
Here’s where it gets interesting – and often frustrating. Most taxpayers cannot benefit from this deduction because of high thresholds. Only when your healthcare costs exceed a certain percentage of your net income does the deduction apply.
The Standard Rule: 5% Deductible
In most cantons and at the federal level, the deductible is 5% of net income. With an annual income of CHF 80,000, your healthcare costs must exceed CHF 4,000 before you benefit from a tax deduction.
The Patient-Friendly Cantons
Glarus, St. Gallen, and Valais are more favorable to patients, with only a 2% deductible. At the same income level, healthcare costs of just CHF 1,600 already qualify for a deduction.
The Absolute Leader: Geneva
In Geneva, the deductible is only 0.5%! With an income of CHF 80,000, you can claim tax relief for healthcare costs starting at just CHF 400.
The Jackpot: Canton Basel-Landschaft
Basel-Landschaft beats them all: there is no deductible at all! Every franc spent on healthcare can be deducted immediately and fully – a huge advantage for all taxpayers.
Strategic Considerations for Maximum Savings
- Tip 1: Timing is everything
Plan larger treatments strategically to exceed the deductible threshold. - Tip 2: Keep all receipts
Document every healthcare expense carefully – even small amounts add up. - Tip 3: Location strategy
If you’re planning a move, include the cantonal deductible rules in your decision.
Conclusion: Health Costs Money – But You Can Get Some Back
With the right knowledge, you can reclaim part of your healthcare expenses through taxes. Careful documentation is especially worthwhile in Basel-Landschaft and Geneva, where deductions start at very low thresholds or even apply from the very first franc spent!
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