That’s why even if you don’t have to file a tax declaration, it is worth investing a little bit of time, research, and effort into submitting your tax return. However, many employees have more than 1.000 euros in work-related expenses per year, which you should declare to reduce your taxable income, and thus actually get money back. To benefit from this 1.000 euros reduction of taxable income as an employee ( Arbeitnehmer-Pauschbetrag), you don’t need to file a tax declaration, as it usually gets considered by your employer when subtracting your wage tax on your payslip. However, there is misleading information on other English-speaking websites, which tell you that you can claim those 1.000 euros via your tax return. You reduce your taxes by reducing your taxable income through expenses.Įvery employee in Germany has the automatic right to declare expenses worth 1.000 euros, whether they actually happened or not.
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Related Guide: How To Read Your German Payslip?Īs a freelancer or self-employed, you have to prepay your taxes every quarter (until the 10th of March, June, September, and December).īy declaring your taxes with your tax return, you have the chance to reduce the taxes you paid already and ask for a refund. You can find details of the taxes and social security contributions you are paying on your payslip. Yes, you can by submitting your tax declaration. Most people who hand in a tax declaration will receive a tax refund of hundreds or sometimes even thousands of euros.Īs an employee, your income tax ( Lohnsteuer) gets automatically deducted from your salary each month and sent to the German tax authorities. Related Guide: Freelancing In Germany As A Foreigner Can you claim taxes back in Germany? Should you receive a letter from the tax authorities ( Finanzamt) asking or reminding you to submit your tax declaration, you must do so, even if the situations mentioned above do not apply to you.įor freelancers and self-employed, it is mandatory to submit a yearly tax declaration. You have received an allowance ( Freibetrag) from the local tax office.You are married, and you or your partner have opted for tax class III or V.You have received income in another country, for example, the year of your relocation or rent payments from a property.You have several employers at the same time (not counting mini-jobs).You got divorced, and either you or your ex-partner got remarried in the same year.You have received extraordinary income, such as severance payments.You receive other payments or substitute income benefits ( Lohnersatzleistungen) that are more than 410 euros, such as parental allowance ( Elterngeld).No, it is not mandatory to file a tax declaration in Germany ( Steuererklärung) if you are a regular employee without any side income unless one of the following applies: Is it mandatory to file a tax declaration in Germany? How long does it take to get your tax refund in Germany?.When is the German tax return deadline?.Documents needed for your tax return in Germany.How to file a tax declaration in Germany?.How to get more taxes back from Germany?.Is it mandatory to file a tax declaration in Germany?.