When can I benefit from filing a tax return?
Every year the same exhausting topic arises: the income tax return. Am I obliged to file a tax return? Can I expect a tax refund or do I have to pay additional taxes? These and a lot of more questions are coming up with regard to the German income tax return.
Generally, there is no obligation to file a tax return when working at one employer during the whole year and when only having employment income. On the other hand, many people are obliged to file a tax return for example when having rental income or foreign capital income. In the following we show some general points which can make filing an income tax return reasonable - although you are not obliged to do so - because of a possible a tax refund.
Possible reasons for a tax refund
- You received a severance payment
- You got married during the year
- You are married and you have tax class IV. Your spouse is not employed or earns considerably less than you
- Child allowance was not taken into account on payroll accounting
- Tax saving due to child allowance is higher than the received child benefit
- You are eligible for a relief amount for single parent
- You paid contributions to Riester or Rürup pensions
- Your insurance contributions are higher than provisional lump sum
- A lump sum for disabled person or bereaved was not taken into account on payroll accounting
- Your expenses are higher than the lump sum for employers in the amount of 1.000 €
- You had extraordinary expenses e.g due to illness for example high dentist cost (not being refunded by your health insurance company), disability, need for care or because you supported a relative in need
- You had expenses for help or services in your household
- You returned unemployment benefit, sickness benefit etc.
Would you like to know whether it is advantageous for you to file a tax return? Please do not hesitate to contact us, we are pleased to advise you!
