Get Ready: Key Dates and Changes for Your 2024 German Tax Return
2024 Tax Year Filing Guide: Essential Details Explained - 2024 Tax Return Details to Keep in Mind for Taxpayers
Hey there! If you're ready to shake off last year's stress and embrace a fresh new tax season, you've come to the right place. We've broken down everything you need to know about the 2024 tax return in Germany, including crucial deadlines and modifications, plus pro tips to make the process as painless as possible.
When's time to hit submit?
First thing's first – you're probably wondering when it's your turn to step up and file that tax return. As it stands, the general deadline for your 2024 submission has changed from the previous year:Get your 2024 tax return sorted out by Thursday, July 31, 2025 at the latest, given August 31 falls on a weekend.
Don't worry if you need some help from the tax gurus; in that case, the deadline kicks back to April 30, 2026. However, remember the tax office might still demand an earlier submission in some exceptional cases.[1][2][4]
For those who think they can put things off, you can always submit a tax return voluntarily. As long as it's within four years of the tax year in question, you're good to go. For the 2024 tax year, the last day to submit is December 31, 2028. You can still submit those late tax returns from 2021 up until the end of 2025, too.[1][2][4]
Neglecting to meet your deadline may not be the wisest move; late filing could result in late fees totaling 0.25 percent of the assessed income tax, or at least 25 euros per started month.[1][2][4]
Can I extend my deadline?
Extensions are granted in special cases, as long as the delay isn't self-inflicted. If you need more time to file your tax return, you can apply for this informally at the local tax office. Potential reasons might include illness, longer stays abroad, or missing documents.[1][4]
The tax office will let you know whether your extension request has been granted and–if so–when the new deadline is. In some cases, they may require an on-time submission, citing outstanding documents. In such scenarios, a preliminary notice can later be rectified.[1][4]
Who needs to file a 2024 tax return?
If you belong to any of the following categories, you're obligated to submit a tax return:
- Couples with tax classes 3/5 or 4 with factor
- Employees with tax class 6
- Self-employed persons with income from freelance work or business operation
- Those who received unemployment benefits (unemployment benefit I, short-time work allowance, parental allowance, sick pay) or untaxed secondary income exceeding 410 euros
- Pensioners with income exceeding the basic allowance of 11,784 euros[4]
Filing a tax return voluntarily can also render substantial benefits, such as refunds for excess taxes paid. According to the Federal Statistical Office, the average tax refund is around 1,100 euros.[1][4]
What's the best way to prep for filing?
About 25 percent of taxpayers still submit their declarations on paper. However, the tax authorities have established the digital route as the norm. The free online ELSTER portal, operated by the tax authorities, allows tax returns to be filled out and sent without paper. As of a few years ago, receipts no longer need to be mailed but only presented upon request from the tax office.[4]
Alternatives to ELSTER include commercial tax software or apps, which cost between 20 and 45 euros but simplify the task and prevent forgetting crucial items with tips and prompts. Given the prices, this convenience is easily recouped. Wiso is the test winner at Stiftung Warentest, but other tax software also performs well.[4]
Individuals who lack confidence in handling the task alone can seek assistance from a tax assistance association or tax advisor. This generally costs a three-digit amount, with the costs depending on case complexity and income. Tax assistance associations are only open to employees, civil servants, and pensioners (not self-employed).[1][4]
Expenses related to tax advisors or tax software can be deducted from the following year's taxes.[4]
What's new for the 2024 tax year?
For the 2024 tax year, the federal government has announced tax reliefs for several aspects, including:
- Increased Basic Allowance: The tax offices will automatically consider an increased basic allowance, which has climbed from 10,908 euros to 11,784 euros. Additional key values have increased accordingly, applications for higher tax rates.[1][4]
- Child Allowance Increase: The child allowance will increase by 600 euros for the 2024 tax year, reaching 6,612 euros (3,306 euros per parent). If you prefer, you can choose child benefit of 250 euros per child.[1][4]
- Relaxed EU Residency Rules: The child allowance and the allowance for care, education, and training needs of children, the BEA allowance, will no longer be reduced if the child resides in an EU member state.[1][4]
- Mini-Job Threshold Hike: The mini-job threshold will increase to 538 euros per month for the 2024 tax year. This change is based on the minimum wage rising to 12.41 euros per hour in 2025 (12.82 euros).[1][4]
- Moving Allowance Bump: Those who moved for professional reasons after February 29, 2024, will benefit from an increased moving allowance of 964 euros. For each additional household member (partner, children), 643 euros can be claimed as a flat rate.[1][4]
- Tutoring Costs Allowance: Tutoring costs can now be claimed as business expenses up to 1,286 euros. This is 105 euros more than in 2023.[1][4]
- Flood Relief Measures: Various measures will be available to those affected by floods in 2024, such as deadlines extensions, special depreciation for replacement acquisitions, and simplified evidence for donations.[1][4]
For donations related to corona and Ukraine aid, these can be deducted as special expenses up to 20 percent of income.[1][4]
For comprehensive, precise information regarding specific tax relief measures and their impact on your situation, seeking counsel from a tax advisor or consulting the official German tax authority website would be beneficial.[1][4]
References:[1] Bundeszentralamt für Steuern (Federal Central Tax Office) (2023). Tax Overview for Individuals[2] Finanzatlas.de. (2023). 2024 Tax Calculation[4] StepStone. (2023). Tips for Declaring Your Taxes
Here are two sentences that use the provided words within context:
- To better manage your personal-finance during the tax season, consider taking advantage of community aid or local aid schemes that may provide assistance with preparing and filing your tax return.
- For those seeking guidance on personal-finance matters, including tax filing and tax strategy, you might consider seeking advice from a certified tax advisor or consulting an aid scheme specifically designed for providing personal-finance advice.
