🇩🇪 Germany

Einkommensteuererklärung

Annual income tax return — average refund around €1,000

Hard ~60 min TaxAnnualIncomeELSTER

/ What is this form?

The annual income tax return filed via ELSTER or tax software. Mandatory if you have self-employment income, rental income, or received a letter from the Finanzamt. Voluntary for employees — but almost always worth it, as the average refund is around €1,000.

/ Who needs this form?

Self-employed and freelancers (mandatory)
Employees with Steuerklasse III, V, or VI (mandatory)
Anyone who received a Finanzamt letter
Employees wanting a refund (voluntary)

/ What you need before you start

ELSTER account or tax software

Lohnsteuerbescheinigung from employer

Receipts for Werbungskosten, Sonderausgaben, außergewöhnliche Belastungen

Bank interest statements (Steuerbescheinigung)

/ Step-by-step guide

1 Create an ELSTER Account

Register at elster.de. You'll receive an activation letter by post within 1–2 weeks. Alternatively use tax software like Taxfix, Wundertax, or WISO.

2 Gather Your Documents

Get your Lohnsteuerbescheinigung from your employer, bank interest statements, and receipts for deductible expenses.

3 Complete the Forms

Fill in Mantelbogen (personal info), Anlage N (employment income), and any other relevant annexes.

4 Claim All Deductions

Add Werbungskosten, Sonderausgaben, and außergewöhnliche Belastungen.

5 Submit and Await Steuerbescheid

Submit online via ELSTER. The Finanzamt sends a Steuerbescheid within weeks to months.

/ Key fields explained

Field	What to enter	Common mistake
Werbungskosten	Work-related expenses above the €1,230 Pauschale	Include commuting (€0.30/km), home office (€6/day), and work equipment
Sonderausgaben	Insurance premiums, donations, church tax	Do not forget Riester or Rürup pension contributions

/ Common mistakes to avoid

Not filing voluntarily (you have 4 years to file retroactively)

Forgetting the Pendlerpauschale (€0.30/km first 20km, €0.38/km beyond)

Not claiming home office deduction (€6/day up to €1,260/year)

/ Frequently asked questions

When is the deadline?

July 31 of the following year. With a Steuerberater: end of February the year after that. Voluntary returns: up to 4 years.