• In the video: You can deduct these unusual things from your taxes

Anyone who prefers to file their tax return in summer is also in luck this year. However, compared to last year, the deadline has been brought forward by one month. Anyone who completes their tax return and submits it to the tax office has until September 2, 2024 to do so. If you hire a tax advisor to do this, you will have much more time. The 2023 tax filing deadline is June 2, 2025.

Basically, if you dawdle, you'll have to pay. If the deadline is exceeded, you should expect a late payment fee. This is what the Bavarian payroll tax aid indicates. The late fee will expire from September 3, 2024. “In most cases, for each month of delay a quarter of a percentage of the remaining tax debt is charged, but at least 25 euros per month,” says Christina Georgiadis, spokesperson for United Wage Tax Assistance (VLH).

Can I extend the deadline?

Basically yes. If you are unable to submit your tax return on time, you can request an extension of the deadline from the responsible tax office. This can be done informally in writing. No special form is required. However, the prerequisite for an extension of the deadline is that you are not responsible for exceeding the deadline. According to consumer service centers, the reasons could be, for example, a longer hospital stay or lack of documents.

Who has to file a tax return?

Not only the self-employed have to file a tax return. Employees may also be forced to do so. This is the case, for example, if you or your spouse received wages or pension benefits and one of you paid taxes according to tax class V, VI or IV with a factor. Or if the tax office has granted an exemption from wage tax.

In principle, pensioners are obliged to submit a tax return if the taxable part of their gross annual pension exceeds the basic tax allowance. The amount of the basic subsidy changes every year. In fiscal year 2023 it was 10,908 euros for singles and 21,816 euros for married people.