German Tax Return (Einkommensteuererklärung)

The tax return is filed after January of next year, because the financial year is from January to December, 

How much refund I can Get?

The chances of getting refund depends on certain factors.

As explained in the German Income tax system, you have possibility to get refund in case of conditions including

Note: Kindergeld must be applied in any case. Benefit above Kindergeld will be paid by Tax office. Kindegeld will not be paid by Tax office.

The more conditions you satisfy, the more are the chances of getting refund.

The exact amount of refund will depend on the individual conditions.

How much time it takes to get refund?

After filing tax return with Finanzamt, it takes 8-12 weeks to get refund money in your account. Sometimes it may take much longer.

With our consultancy, money will be deposited to your account directly by Finanzamt. (German as well as Indian account). Indian account may take 1 month extra.

Can I get my pension contributions?

Yes, it is possible to get pension contributions. But that it a separate process and it can be refunded after two years of leaving Germany. For more details click here on our dedicated website for this.

Last date for filing tax return

If you are entitled to get refund from tax office, then you can apply for return in next 4 years. So in Current Year 2022, it is possible to apply tax return of year 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021.

However, if taxpayer is supposed to pay taxes then he should file tax return before 31st July of Next year.

Below are few situations where it is an obligation to file tax return before the deadline:

Tax filing for year 2023 started from January 2024

What are the legal tax savings ways?

Business expenses (Werbungskosten)

Finanzamt provides Lump sum amount (Arbeitnehmer-Pauschalbetrag) of Euro 1000 per year towards employment related expenses. This is part of default tax calculations done by employer.

But if you have any extra ordinary expenses more than Arbeitnehmer-Pauschalbetrag per year then you can declare them and get tax rebates.

Following is list of heads under which tax rebates can be claimed (practically with terms & conditions applicable)

There are many more avenues which are mostly applicable for consultants and other working class, but for practically purposes not listed here.

If the sum of business expenses don't exceed EUR 1000 per year, there is no extra tax refund. Because this is automatically done by employer.

Extraordinary expenses (Außergewöhnliche Belastungen)

1) Home maintenance expense:

You can for expenses paid for craftsmen services  (i.e. painter, plumber, decorator) for your rented or own house in Germany. Invoice and bank statement as proof of payment are required.

2) Maintenance payments to needy persons (Unterhaltsleistungen an bedürftige Personen)

Money support provided to parents/parents-in-laws/grandparents/spouse/children in India who need support 

For Indian nationals, following maximum support money is deducible from your taxable income and applicable tax rates gives tax benefits.


To claim this benefit:

Required documents/information for filing tax return

Send an email to us to get excel template of checklist of documents and details.

How to prepare tax return?

Simply Contact us and use our consultancy from the comfort of your home. We provide our services to all over world.

OR

If you are doing it on your own, there are two options to prepare the tax declaration

You can expect the refund in 8-12 weeks

Template of Lohnsteuerbescheinigung  (Wage tax certificate)


Lohnsteuerbescheinigung Sample 2021.pdf

Dependent support declaration form (Unterhaltserklärung)


Dependent Support declaration form.pdf