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How to file a tax return in Germany

Selected criteria

  1. I already live in Germany
  2. Money, taxes and social benefits
  3. File a tax return

This page helps you prepare and file a Steuererklärung without searching for information at random. First find out whether you are required to file a return or are considering filing voluntarily. Then collect annual certificates, income information and proof of expenses. Separately check circumstances that change how you complete the return: moving during the year, foreign income, remote work for a foreign company, investments, crypto transactions or regular online sales. Then enter the information in ELSTER, check the calculation and keep your documents. If your situation involves several countries, self-employment, a dispute with the Finanzamt or complex family circumstances, do not rush to submit it; first choose an appropriate form of professional help. This order helps you move from checking your initial information to submission without confusing general rules with individual circumstances.

Plan overview

A practical route from checking your situation and collecting documents to completing the return in ELSTER and choosing help for complex cases.

What to do step by step

  1. 1

    Determine your situation

    Check whether you need to file a return and note all income types and circumstances for the tax year.

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  2. 2

    Collect annual information

    Prepare annual certificates from your employer and clarify which tax numbers you need to complete the return.

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  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5

    Check other expenses

    Assess insurance contributions and support for relatives separately so you do not mix them with work-related expenses.

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  6. 6

    Complete the return in ELSTER

    Register, select the return and add only the sections that match your income and expenses.

    Articles for this step

    How to File a Tax Return via ELSTER in Germany
  7. 7

    Check the information before submitting

    Compare entered amounts with annual documents, check service warnings and keep supporting evidence.

    Articles for this step

    How to File a Tax Return via ELSTER in Germany Tax Returns in Germany: Who Files, Deadlines, Elster, and Tax Refunds
  8. 8

    Choose help for a complex case

    If your situation is more than ordinary salary and standard expenses, compare filing yourself with help from an authorised specialist.

    Articles for this step

    Who Can Help with Your Tax Return in Germany

Important notes

  • Check the deadline that applies to your specific tax year and filing method.
  • Do not leave income from another country unchecked.
  • Keep certificates from every employer for the year.
  • Set up access to ELSTER in advance if you are filing yourself.

Common mistakes

  • Count the round trip
  • Claim incompatible expenses for the same day
  • Confuse tax class with the annual final amount
  • Do not report foreign income because tax was withheld abroad