English Speaking Tax Consultant for Your German Tax Declaration

Not always.

Employees often do not have to file, because taxes are automatically deducted from their salary. However, filing voluntarily often leads to a refund.

Example:
An employee with commuting costs and work equipment files a tax return and receives €900 back.

If filing is mandatory, the deadline is usually 31 July of the following year.

If you use a tax advisor, the deadline is usually extended.

Typical documents include:

Annual salary statement (Lohnsteuerbescheinigung)

Tax ID

Bank details

Receipts for deductions (transport, work equipment, etc.)

Example:
If you bought a laptop for work, keep the receipt to claim it as a deduction.

Most people file electronically using ELSTER, the official online tax system.

Other tax apps or advisors can also help.

Usually between 4 and 12 weeks after submission.

You will receive an assessment notice first, followed by the refund.

Common deductions include:

commuting costs

professional training

work equipment

home office expenses

relocation costs

Example:
A commuter traveling 20 km to work every day can claim a yearly commuting allowance.

The Steueridentifikationsnummer is a permanent number assigned to every resident.

You receive it after registering your address in Germany.

If filing is mandatory, the Finanzamt may charge a late penalty.

The penalty is usually calculated per month.

Yes. Married couples can file jointly and benefit from income splitting.

Example:
If one spouse earns much more than the other, joint taxation often lowers the total tax burden.

Usually yes.

Germany taxes worldwide income if you are a tax resident.
However, agreements prevent double taxation.

Example:
A rental property abroad must be reported, but tax treaties often prevent paying tax twice.

Yes, and many do.

Typical reasons include:

high commuting costs

moving for work

starting or leaving a job during the year

work equipment purchases

Yes.

Freelancers must:

register their activity

submit yearly tax returns

often pay advance tax payments

You may still need to file a final tax return for the year you leave.

Example:
If you lived in Germany for six months and then moved abroad, you still report the income earned during that period.

Sometimes.

For example, citizens of the United States must also report income to the Internal Revenue Service even when living abroad.

Tax treaties usually prevent double taxation.

For employees with one job, it is usually relatively simple.

Many tax returns take 30–60 minutes once you have your documents ready.