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When a foreigner in Germany needs to file a Steuererklärung, which expenses reduce tax, which deadlines apply for the 2025 tax return, and how to file through ELSTER, software, a Steuerberater, or a Lohnsteuerhilfeverein.
- I already live in Germany
- Money, taxes and social benefits
- File a tax return
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Tax Return in Germany for Foreigners: Deadlines, ELSTER, and Refunds When a foreigner in Germany needs to file a Steuererklärung, which expenses reduce tax, which deadlines apply for the 2025 tax return, and how to file through ELSTER, software, a Steuerberater, or a Lohnsteuerhilfeverein. Open article Tax Returns in Germany: Who Files, Deadlines, Elster, and Tax Refunds A detailed guide to filing a tax return in Germany: who is required to file, when you can file voluntarily, what the deadlines are, how Elster works, and what to do with your Steuerbescheid. Open article Tax Returns in Germany: Who Files, Deadlines, and ELSTER A brief guide to filing a tax return in Germany: who is required to file a Steuererklärung, what income is reported, how to file a return via ELSTER, and what deadlines apply in 2026. Open article How to Claim Your Commute to Work on Your German Taxes: Pendlerpauschale and Werbungskosten How to account for commuting costs in a German tax return: Arbeitnehmer-Pauschbetrag, Pendlerpauschale, the €4,500 limit, public transport, cars, and calculation examples. Open article Tax Return in Germany: When It Is Required and How to File Through a Specialist Who may need a Steuererklärung in Germany, when a return is mandatory, which documents to prepare, and how to work safely with a lawyer or tax adviser. Open article Werbungskosten in Germany: Which Work Expenses You Can Deduct from Taxes A guide to Werbungskosten: the standard deduction, commuting, home office, work materials, training, relocation, insurance, and documents for your tax return in Germany. Open article Home Office in Germany: how to claim work-from-home expenses on your tax return How the Home-Office-Pauschale works in Germany, when you can deduct a home office, which documents to keep, and how to report the expenses on your tax return. Open article Tax deduction for supporting relatives in Germany When can support for relatives be claimed as an **außergewöhnliche Belastung** under §33a EStG: who is considered the recipient, what limits apply in 2026, and what documents are required by the tax office. Open article
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How Income Tax Is Calculated in Germany: Rates and Formula for 2026 How Germany's progressive Einkommensteuer rate works: Grundfreibetrag, the 2026 tariff zones, Splittingtarif for spouses, tax classes, and Progressionsvorbehalt. Open article Freelancers in Germany: Who Qualifies as a Freelancer and What Taxes Do They Pay? Let’s take a closer look at who is considered a “freiberufler” in Germany, how a liberal profession differs from a trade (“Gewerbe”), how to notify the tax office, and what taxes to pay in 2026. Open article Elterngeld in Germany: Parental Allowance, Amounts, and Application Process How Elterngeld works in Germany in 2026: Basiselterngeld, ElterngeldPlus, Partnerschaftsbonus, deadlines, calculation, income limits, and the application process. Open article The Tax System in Germany: Income Tax, VAT, and Business Taxes How the tax system works in Germany: progressive Einkommensteuer, VAT, tax brackets, the Kleinunternehmerregelung, and what freelancers and entrepreneurs need to consider. Open article German Payslip: How to Read Your Lohnabrechnung in Germany Open article Taxes in Germany in 2026: What Employees, Freelancers, and Newcomers Need to Know A Brief Guide to Taxes in Germany: Income Tax, Grundfreibetrag, Mini-Job, Midi-Job, VAT, Tax Returns, and Common Mistakes in 2026. Open article Freelancing in Germany: Registration, Residence Permit, and Taxes How to Start Freelancing in Germany: What to Check in Your Residence Permit, How to Submit the “Fragebogen zur steuerlichen Erfassung,” the Difference Between “Freiberufler” and “Gewerbe,” and When the “Kleinunternehmerregelung” Applies. Open article Payslip in Germany: How to Read an Entgeltabrechnung How a German payslip works: gross pay, net pay, taxes, social contributions, Steuerklasse, BGRS, PGRS, vacation pay, sick leave, and common mistakes. Open article
