Tax payers in Andalucía will be able to deduct veterinary expenses for their pets from next year

The Junta de Andalucía budgets for next year will include a new package of tax reductions – the seventh since Juanma Moreno has been president of the Andalusian regional government. This was announced by Moreno himself, who assured that the reductions approved in the past six years have actually allowed a revenue increase of around 18 billion euros, while reducing the pressure on taxpayers in Andalucía by one billion euros. This new package is expected to result in additional tax savings worth 55 million euros.

Moreno stated that the Junta had not revealed which taxes would be reduced as part of the new package. However, he said one measure will benefit around 180,000 people from the region. He said at the El Confidencial Forum held on Tuesday that families who acquire a pet can deduct up to 100% of the veterinary costs in the first year. If an animal is adopted, the owner can take advantage of the deductions for three years. The deduction is available for the entire life of the animal if it is a guide dog or service animal.

The last measure is to include, along with guide dogs for the blind, dogs that detect low sugar levels or epileptic seizures, and dogs that help women who have been victims of gender-based abuse. The discount can be applied immediately in these cases. The dogs don’t have to be adopted or purchased now.

Novel Measure

Moreno highlighted the novelty of this measure, which makes Andalucía a pioneer in the field in Spain. The president of Andalusian government said that pets are a part of families, and give us affection. Pet owners need to show their love and affection for their animals, as well as provide them with medical care. Moreno said that this measure is aimed at people who have pets and need service dogs on a daily basis.

This measure has a value of 12 million euros per annum. According to Moreno, thanks to the successive tax cuts since 2019, Andalucía has established itself as the second Spanish region in which inhabitants pay less taxes.

Moreno pointed out that these tax reforms have led, together with other measures such as administrative simplification, to an increase in the number of personal income taxpayers in Andalucía, which has grown by 22% since 2018, as well as in revenue, which has grown by 50%.