If your financial situation is fairly simple (i.e. The tax office sends a letter asking you to submit a tax return (even if none of the above apply to you).You wish to apply for tax deductions (see below).You have received extraordinary income, such as severance payments.You are divorced and you or your ex-partner remarries in the same year.You have received more than 410 euros’ worth of welfare benefits (such as child benefit, sickness benefit, maternity pay or unemployment benefit).You are married and have opted for either tax class 3 or 5 (see below).You have received any income from abroad.you are a freelancer or run your own business. You are, however, obliged to submit a tax declaration if any of the following apply to you: Tax deductions, for instance, statutory insurance contributions, expenses for daycare or charitable donationsĪlthough many people choose to submit one in the hope of receiving a refund, generally if you are a waged employee subject to payroll tax it is not compulsory to submit a German income tax return.You can complete your declaration on paper or online using software designed by the Federal Central Tax Office. The tax return is used by the tax office to balance out the amount of income tax you have paid with other financial aspects, such as: On average, nine out of 10 people who submit a tax return receive a refund. By submitting a tax declaration, you check that you have paid the correct amount of tax for the previous financial year. A large proportion of taxpayers in Germany, both expats and German citizens, choose to submit an annual income tax return ( Einkommensteuererklärung) to the Federal Central Tax Office.

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