Germany - tax return deadlines?
January 9, 2015 12:11 PM Subscribe
Guten Tag Ask MeFi! I need to fill in at least one tax return, for 2013-2014, and possibly also for 2014-2015, here in Germany. It is all about income earned here in Germany. What is (was) the deadline(s)?
I was told by a colleague that there are deadlines but they are pretty relaxed about enforcing these, as long as you submit your tax return a reasonable time after.
Any other (legall acceptable) tips and tricks would be welcome. I have a software package to complete the ELSTER, called "Steuer Sparer 2014". Anyone know a better one? This one was very affordable.
I was told by a colleague that there are deadlines but they are pretty relaxed about enforcing these, as long as you submit your tax return a reasonable time after.
Any other (legall acceptable) tips and tricks would be welcome. I have a software package to complete the ELSTER, called "Steuer Sparer 2014". Anyone know a better one? This one was very affordable.
I don't know that you'd even need the software package. If you've just got employment income it 's very basic and the allowances you can apply for are also explained in ELSTER. It has a wizard type functionality that guides you through the process. You can just download ELSTER for free. Clearly you have got the software now but perhaps don't bother next year.
As for the deadlines, I have not lived in Germany since 1998 but I still have to do my father's tax returns. I normally get round to doing that in August/September for the tax year ended the previous December. I think they write to him with an earlier deadline and he calls them and gets an extension.
posted by koahiatamadl at 10:57 PM on January 9, 2015
As for the deadlines, I have not lived in Germany since 1998 but I still have to do my father's tax returns. I normally get round to doing that in August/September for the tax year ended the previous December. I think they write to him with an earlier deadline and he calls them and gets an extension.
posted by koahiatamadl at 10:57 PM on January 9, 2015
Response by poster: Thanks for the answers guys! Looks like I have plenty of time and the process should be painless. This is good news.
posted by KMH at 3:18 AM on January 22, 2015
posted by KMH at 3:18 AM on January 22, 2015
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Die Einkommensteuererklärung muss bis zum 31. Mai des auf den Veranlagungszeitraum folgenden Jahres abgegeben werden, wenn man grundsätzlich zur Abgabe einer Einkommensteuererklärung verpflichtet ist (§ 149 AO).
Für Steuerpflichtige, die die Steuererklärung von einem steuerlichen Berater erstellen lassen, gewähren die Finanzämter Fristverlängerung bis zum 31. Dezember.
Bei Landwirten verschieben sich diese Fristen auf den 30. September und den 31. März aufgrund des abweichenden Wirtschaftsjahres.
Die Frist für die Abgabe einer freiwilligen Steuererklärung (Antragsveranlagung) betrug bis 2007 gemäß § 46 Abs. 2 Nr. 8 EStG a.F. zwei Jahre. Seit dem Wegfall dieser Regelung zum Jahresanfang 2008 gilt die allgemeine Festsetzungsfrist nach § 169 Abs. 2 Nr. 2 AO, die vier Jahre beträgt.
source http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Einkommensteuererkl%C3%A4rung
Maybe this brochure might help.
See page 69 for income tax and page 129 for wages tax.
posted by 15L06 at 1:20 PM on January 9, 2015