A Usual Q&A on 2024 Tax Returns in Germany: Get the Deets!
Navigating Tax Season 2024: Essential Information to Prepare Your Return - 2024 Tax Filings Demand Your Attention: Crucial to Remember
🎯 Hit the Nuts & Bolts of Tax Filing for 2024
Are you feeling uncertain about the 2024 tax return deadlines or who needs to file? Dive into this handy inspector's guide and learn how to tackle your German tax filing with ease!
Tax Deadlines: What's the Deal?
- Filing by yourself? Mark Thursday, July 31, 2025 on your calendar. That's when you need to have sent your tax return, keeping in mind August 31 is a weekend.
- Prefer working with a tax advisor or association? You receive more time! Your deadline moves to April 30, 2026. Keep in mind that the tax office might require earlier submission in specific cases.
- Love having extra time? Voluntarily file your tax return, even if not necessary, up to December 31, 2028. Oh, and you can still submit for the years 2021, 2022, and beyond, as long as they're less than four years past.
Deadline Extensions: When Can You Ask for More Time?
Need more time to submit your tax return, worry not! You can apply for a deadline extension in exceptional cases. To request one, get in touch with your tax office, providing reasons like illness, travel, or lacking paperwork. Keep in mind that your request may need to be approved, and the new deadline will be given in writing.
Who Needs to File a Tax Return?
If you fall into any of these categories, it's time to settle your tax return business:
- Part of a couple with tax classes 3/5 or 4 with a factor
- Employed with tax class 6
- Self-employed earning a dime from freelance activities or a business
- Enjoying replacement income, such as unemployment benefits I, short-time work benefits, parental benefits, or sick pay, or secondary income of more than 410 euros
- A pensioner earning income exceeding the basic allowance of 11,784 euros
Additionally, voluntarily filing can be beneficial as it often leads to a refund of overpaid taxes, with the average refund totalling around 1,100 euros.
Traditional vs. Digital Filing
- Traditional: Submit your tax return using paper forms via the post (though this is slowly becoming obsolete). It's still possible for employees and pensioners without self-employed income.
- Digital: Take advantage of the efficiency of Elster, the online portal provided by tax offices. Filling out and sending your tax return is simple, quick, and free.
Get Assistance with Your Tax Return
If everything seems too complex, on-hand support is available! Seek help from a tax assistance association or a tax consultant, although these options may carry a cost. Alternatively, consider using a tax program or app that often costs between 20 to 45 euros and can make filing a breeze.
🔍 Intriguing Tidbits:
- Interested in working for a firm in another EU country? Good news! Child allowance and the allowance for care, education, and training needs of children (BEA allowance) will no longer be reduced for children living in an EU member state after a ruling from the European Court of Justice (ECJ).
- For those impacted by the 2024 floods, relief measures such as deferrals, simplified evidence for donations, and special depreciation for replacement acquisitions will be in place.
- Donations for Corona and Ukraine aid can be deducted as special expenses up to 20 percent of your income. Imagine helping others while saving on taxes!
- Applicants seeking financial assistance for personal-finance matters may find relief in community aid schemes, as these programs often provide support to those in need, particularly during challenging economic times.
- Moreover, utilizing an aid scheme specific to personal-finance management can offer valuable resources, educational tools, and strategies to help individuals better manage and optimize their financial situation.
