Around 12 million people in Germany do not file a tax return, although they could recover an average of more than 1,000 euros each year from the State. One reason for this: the complicated official language. According to a representative survey commissioned by tax fintech Taxfix and language professionals Wortliga, 44 percent of respondents are afraid of making mistakes. 23 percent say they don't file taxes for this reason and therefore give up a lot of money.
It's also annoying: you do your taxes but get less than you could because sometimes you're not sure what you can deduct. Often you don't have to worry about any consequences, other than the fact that you'll get less from the tax office or have to pay more. Here are seven things you can try with confidence:
The longest but fastest journey
You can deduct the costs of your commute to work (only the one-way trip) as business expenses using the commuter allowance. Usually, the shortest road connection in kilometres counts. You take a longer but more comfortable route, e.g. faster through the city centre instead of driving through it to avoid traffic jams? Then you can also specify this route and thus cover more kilometres. This can really pay off: a one-way trip of 20 km is usually enough to cover the flat rate for business expenses of 1,230 euros, i.e. to get your money back.
More than 20 percent of your phone and Internet costs.
You can also deduct your private telephone, mobile and Internet connections from your taxes if you also use them for work. A flat rate of 20 percent of your monthly expenses can be deducted as business expenses (maximum 20 euros). Just that, like many other things, is often forgotten. However, you can also specify more than 20 percent (e.g. 50 percent if you work a lot from home). If the tax office requests it, you must provide proof of this, e.g. with a usage diary (three months sample is sufficient). If you cannot do this, the tax office will only accept 20 percent – you will have no problems.
Unusual costs of acquiring work equipment
For work equipment (e.g. furniture, equipment, specialized books, and work clothing), you can initially deduct almost everything, as long as you use the work equipment at least partially for work. It can be an office chair, a desk or a PC, but also a bookshelf, a printer, external monitors for the laptop or even a smartphone or a television. Of course, always keep the purchase receipts in case the Treasury asks you for it. So they can't threaten you with anything other than, for example, B. the smart TV is simply removed. You can read what you can deduct and to what extent in our free work equipment financial tip guide.
No team? Use flat rate
If you didn't have any costs for work equipment, then you can still simply deduct a flat fee of 110 euros. Although this flat fee is not provided for by law, it is common practice and is recognised by most tax offices (except in Saxony). The worst that can happen to you: your tax office will want receipts. If you don't have them, you won't have any problems: the job will simply not be recognised.
Flat fee for online applications
Nowadays, applications are usually made online, so there is hardly any cost (except perhaps the photo of the application), but they can be done quickly. You can use that. Because you can deduct a flat fee of 2.50 euros per online application. Save receipt confirmations in case the tax office wants to see the receipts.
When grandma and grandpa take care of your child
You can deduct childcare costs as special expenses. But did you know that this also works indirectly, e.g. Grandma and Grandpa do this for free, of course? You can reimburse them for travel expenses as an expense allowance (e.g. 30 cents/km) and deduct them as care expenses. Important: The money must be transferred and there must be a written agreement on this.
Artisans, services and even the dog walking service.
For household services and business expenses, you can indicate approximately everything a person does (i.e. work and travel time, but not material expenses), so you have an invoice and have paid by bank transfer , even if you live in a rented apartment (see. Invoice for additional costs). You will then receive 20 percent of the invoice (max. 1,200 euros for artisan services and 4,000 euros for services).
Just because it's called home-related doesn't mean it has to take place in the home. You can also review the costs of your dog walking service.
By the way: If your tax office adjusts, deletes or consults any of these points in the tax assessment, you can still justify the costs again and change the assessment or file an objection free of charge. You can read all the information about it in our guide to financial advice for tax settlement.
This makes it easier for you
The best way to do your taxes is to use tax software. It is easier to understand than the Elster program for financial management and offers you advice. For your 2023 tax return, we at Finanztip recommend Wiso Tax 2024*, SteuerSparErklarung* (tax year 2023) and Tax 2024. These tax apps are particularly easy to use: Steuerbot*, Wiso Steuer* and Taxfix.
Attention, earlier deadline
Are you required to file a tax return? Then an important note at the end: this year you have to pay the tax before September 2nd unless you hand the matter over to a tax advisor or a tax aid association. But this is much more expensive than doing everything yourself, so it is better to start doing it yourself early. Everyone else has more time. You can read all the details about tax return deadlines and tips for filing your own tax return in our free Finanztip guides.