📊 Checklist: Steuererklärung

All documents and steps for your Einkommensteuer (income tax) return in Germany — ELSTER, receipts, deadlines.

German terms

Steuererklärung ELSTER Einkommensteuer Steuerbescheid Werbungskosten Lohnsteuerbescheinigung

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Create an ELSTER account (elster.de) Required

ELSTER / Elektronische Steuererklärung

Free online platform of the tax office. Registration takes about 2 weeks (activation code by post). Alternative: tax software like WISO or Taxfix.

Lohnsteuerbescheinigung (salary certificate) from your employer Required

Lohnsteuerbescheinigung

Issued automatically by employer by end of February. If multiple jobs: each one separately. Also available in ELSTER.

Tax ID and tax number Required

Steuerliche Identifikationsnummer (Steuer-ID)

Steuer-ID: 11-digit number, valid for life (on your payslip). Tax number: assigned by tax office, may change.

Collect receipts for Werbungskosten (work-related expenses) Optional

Werbungskosten

Commuting allowance (€0.30/km first 20km, €0.38 from 21st km), work supplies, training, professional clothing. Flat rate €1,230 — only document if higher.

Sonderausgaben (special deductions): insurance, donations, retirement provision Optional

Sonderausgaben / Vorsorgeaufwendungen

Health and long-term care insurance (base contributions fully deductible), Riester/Rürup, donation receipts. Church tax handled automatically.

Craftsman services and household help Optional

Handwerkerleistungen / Haushaltsnahe Dienstleistungen

Max 20% of labor costs deductible (craftsman up to €1,200, household help up to €4,000 tax reduction). BANK TRANSFER ONLY — no cash payments!

Bank details for refund (IBAN) Required

Bankverbindung / IBAN

Provide a German bank account. Refund arrives 4-8 weeks after tax notice by bank transfer.

Meet the deadline (July 31 or Feb 28/29 with tax advisor) Required

Abgabefrist / Einkommensteuererklärung

Mandatory filing: July 31 of following year (without advisor). With tax advisor: end of February of following year. Voluntary: can file retroactively up to 4 years!