Do You Have To File Your Taxes In Germany?

4 ways to file your tax declaration.

✍️ Written Guide On How To File Your Tax Declaration

⭐️ SteuerGO Tax Return Software

⭐️ YourXpert: Find English-Speaking Tax Advisor

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📼 RELATED VIDEOS:
German payslip EXPLAINED [A Guide for Expats] 💶

✨ RELATED GUIDES:
Tax Class In Germany Explained [Easy English Guide]

Best Tax Return Software In Germany [English Guide]

⏰ Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction
00:44 - Who is obliged to file a tax declaration in Germany?
02:17 - Why would you consider filing a tax declaration in Germany?
03:10 - Important Info for Employees in Germany
04:55 - How can you file your tax return in Germany?
08:55 - What are the tax declaration deadlines?
09:17 - What documents do you need?
09:23 - How fast will you get your money back?

Disclaimer: Neither ourselves as the hosts of this video nor Simple Germany as a business, are qualified to provide tax advice under German law. We cannot provide specialist tax services beyond any of the general tips contained herein. For tax advice, we strongly recommend you consult a professional tax consultant.

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[alanabelcon]

Literally today I was researching this. I swear you gals read my mind. 😆

[anchouse]

Thank you for the video! I think it helps to hire a Steuerberater in the first year in Germany, to see what's what and get a maximum return, cause one can declare all the moving for the job expenses, double household with a spouse, tickets visiting them, etc. But then if you're a regular employee - it's totally doable on your own afterwards, especially considering that Steuerberater's fee might exceed the tax return and you can end up in the minus :/

[colinmackenzie]

I use Elster. It is difficult to find the correct places to enter information, the first time.

If you do file taxes and rent a flat, or own a flat, some of the costs can offset some tax. Basically it's 20% of the Lohnkosten in the yearly Nebenkostenabrechnung.
Also several insurances ( haftpficht, Risikolebens ) can be entered, it's confusing where to enter them, as they can be either entered as Werbungskosten or Sonderausgaben.

Have a nice day everyone.

[simodido]

Thank you! Super useful, love you too

[bahaabe]

Loved the bloopers !!! 😂 Thanks for the tips ☺️❤️ will definitely try the online software!

[twumasiappiah-davids]

such clarity! you guys are awesome!! Love the channel

[DigitalDissident]

Turbo Tax in the US is easy, I will try not filing in Germany this year unless I get a notice from the finanzamt. Wiso Steuer is another online option I've heard of that I may try. If you use a steuerhilfeverein you have to cancel the membership

[Rikinoshin]

You gotta love Jens facial expressions <3

[janvier]

Thank you! I am actually waiting for your video about this😊😊😊

[senaps]

ok, I'm receiving 3 1500 Euro payments from abroad! I need to pay tax on that! good that I saw this! I thought I don't need to :)

[jhoannacayabyab]

I love all your videos..I learn a lot..❤❤❤❤❤❤

[fannychristozova]

This is again one masterpiece of bureaucracy-Erklärung! It is ahead of me and I'm likely to return here, but for now I only wanna share I first heard of such "animal" as tax returns??! years ago when I was working for a Quebec-Canadian project and people told me they actually _can_ benefit from taxes being returned to them. Of course over time I learned that it's not as literal as it sounds, but still I started to listen a bit more carefully. What you explain here sounds really clear, of course when you follow with each sequence of information. Thanks a great deal for it.. and I learned to #smoothly say Lohnsteuerhilfeverein thanks to the blooper. 🤣 I can now say it fast ten times (although I know Jen doesn't believe me now)

[alaael-naghi]

Thanks for this video, if you make regular weekly video about the recent news in Germany, it would be awesome

[huntress_]

2-6 months! Australia's much quicker but it's compulsory to do one every year

[elusivechalk]

Can you please make a video on biology or biotech job + future scope in Germany

[lucaschacon]

Great info! It’s already April and I still haven’t received my annual payslip. The problem is that I finished working there last September and then moved back to my country. They don’t answer my emails. Do you know what can I do?

[indagar]

Another cultural schock in Germany is that people talk a lot about the "Steuererklärung"... and many times they don't accept invitations because they are doing that. I've never heard an italian or spanish person even to mention it... Danke für das nützliche Video! :-)

[lucijeanej]

Do you know if it is possible to submit tax return without 'Lohnsteuerbescheinigung'? As my employee has not sent me this.

[NurkhanKhudaverdiyev]

Thank you for this beautiful video! If I apply once for my tax return for 2022, am I automatically obliged to do it also for next years?

[kinanmallak]

great video, thanks a lot. Do you recommend a Tax consulatant for an employee that doesn't have any business in Germany or would a simple tax filing app do the job?