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Tax Declaration (Steuererklärung) — Expat Guide Germany (2026)

Quick Answer

What it is:: Tax Declaration — a tax procedure in Germany.
Deadline:: No strict deadline
Steps:: 5 steps
Cost:: Free
Documents:: 7 required
Legal basis:: EStG §25

Miss the deadline? Late filing surcharge: min EUR 25/month, up to 10% of assessed tax (AO §152)

Important Deadlines

Filing deadline (without tax advisor)

Late filing surcharge: min EUR 25/month, up to 10% of assessed tax (AO §152)

Filing deadline (with tax advisor)

30d

Objection deadline after Steuerbescheid

Required Documents

✓Lohnsteuerbescheinigung (wage tax certificate from employer)
✓Steuer-ID (tax identification number)
✓Bank account details for refund
✓Receipts for deductible expenses (Werbungskosten)
✓Health/pension insurance certificates
✓Donation receipts (Spendenbescheinigungen)
✓Rental income/expense documentation (if applicable)

Step-by-Step Guide

Gather all tax-relevant documents: Lohnsteuerbescheinigung, receipts, insurance certificates.

Pro tip: Your employer sends the Lohnsteuerbescheinigung electronically to the Finanzamt by end of February.

Choose your filing method: ELSTER (free, official), tax software (WISO, SteuerSparErklärung), or Steuerberater (tax advisor).

Pro tip: First-time expats benefit hugely from a Steuerberater — average refund is EUR 1,051.

Fill in the Mantelbogen (main form) and relevant Anlagen (appendices): Anlage N (employment), Anlage Vorsorgeaufwand (insurance), etc.

Submit electronically via ELSTER or mail to your local Finanzamt.

Receive your Steuerbescheid (tax assessment). Check it carefully — you have 1 month to file an Einspruch (objection).

Fees

ELSTER filingFree

Tax advisor (typical)EUR 500

Legal Basis

EStG §25AO §149AO §152

Also Known As

This procedure is commonly searched under these names:

Steuererklärungtax returntax declarationincome taxEinkommensteuererklärungELSTERFinanzamttax officeLohnsteuerwage taxSteuerbescheidtax assessmenttax refundSteuerberaterWerbungskostendeductionsPendlerpauschalecommuter allowance

Official Resources

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More Guides for 🇩🇪 Germany

→Address Registration (Anmeldung)→Residence Permit (Aufenthaltstitel)→Opening a Bank Account (Bankkonto)→Parental Allowance (Elterngeld)→Flight Delay/Cancellation Compensation (EU 261)→Health Insurance Registration

Required Documents

✓Lohnsteuerbescheinigung (wage tax certificate from employer)

✓Steuer-ID (tax identification number)

✓Bank account details for refund

✓Receipts for deductible expenses (Werbungskosten)

✓Health/pension insurance certificates

✓Donation receipts (Spendenbescheinigungen)

✓Rental income/expense documentation (if applicable)