Tax return

The tax return is the annual settlement with the tax office – and for most people it means real money coming back.

Who MUST file a tax return?

• Self-employed people and freelancers: always
• Tax class III/V or IV/IV with factor: always
• Side income over €410: always
• Wage replacement benefits over €410: parental allowance, short-time work allowance, unemployment benefit I
• Several employers at the same time: always

Who SHOULD file voluntarily?

• Anyone with income-related expenses over €1,230 (employee lump sum 2024)
• Commuters with a long journey to work (commuter allowance: €0.30/km, from the 21st km: €0.38)
• Families with high childcare costs
• Anyone who has paid tradespeople or household help

Deadlines:

• Without an adviser: 31 July of the following year
• With a tax adviser/income tax assistance association: end of February of the year after next
• Voluntary filing: possible up to 4 years retroactively!

Average refund:

• €1,063 average refund for employees
• Approx. 12 million Germans miss out on money because they don't file a voluntary tax return

Best tax apps:

• WISO Steuer: most comprehensive program, from €35
• SteuerBot: chat-based, simple, from €20
• Taxfix: app-based, simple, €39.99
• ELSTER: free (from the tax office), but little guidance