Submit Your 2024 Tax Declaration: Essential Details You Should Be Aware Of - 2024 Tax Returns: Crucial Factor to Bear in Mind
Going Over Your 2024 Tax Return: What You Need to Know, Uncensored and Brutally Honest Edition
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The clock's ticking, and it's time to get your shit together for your tax return in 2024, Germany style! But if you're all about the instant gratification, filin' now could net you a sweet refund. Here's the lowdown on deadlines, changes, and tips to make this tax mess less of a headache.
When's the last call for submitting my tax return?
The deadline for filing your taxes has been shuffled around like a deck of cards in the past years. For 2024, it's moved up by a whole month compared to the last year: You gotta file your return by Thursday, July 31, 2025 at the latest (since August 31 falls on a weekend).
If you're rolling with a tax accountant or a hot assistance association, you got until April 30, 2026. But watch your back, 'cause the tax office might request an earlier submission in special circumstances.
Individuals can procrastinate much longer if they choose to, even though it ain't required. You can file your tax return up to 4 years late: For the tax year 2024, the deadline's December 31, 2028. And here's a pro tip: Until the end of 2025, you can still file the late tax return for 2021, and for the following years as well.
Miss the deadline, and you'll be hit with a late fee. That amounts to 0.25 percent of the assessed income tax - a minimum of 25 euros per started month.
Can I push back the deadline?
An extension is only given in exceptional, so-called not self-inflicted cases, like serious illness, extended vacations, or missing documents. If you want more time to file your taxes, you gotta make a plea to the responsible tax office. According to the consumer center, valid reasons also include moves and weird stuff like relationships breaking up. The tax office will let you know if they grant you an extension and, if so, when the new deadline is.
Who needs to file a tax return?
Couples with tax classes 3/5 or 4 with a factor, employees with tax class 6, self-employed folks, those who received untaxed secondary income of over 410 euros, and pensioners with income above the basic allowance of 11,784 euros, you're all on the hook. Filing a tax return voluntarily can be beneficial, as it often results in a refund of overpaid taxes. The average tax refund is around 1,100 euros.
How should I file my tax return for maximum efficiency?
About a quarter of taxpayers still submit their declaration in paper form. That's for the birds. Paper filings are out, and electronic submissions are the new standard. The tax offices' online portal "Elster" allows you to fill out the tax return and send it without a lick of paper. Receipts no longer need to be sent directly, only on request from the tax office.
Commercial tax programs or apps cost between 20 and 45 euros, but they make the process a breeze and ensure that you won't miss important points. Wiso is the test champion, but other tax programs are solid as well.
Those who aren't confident filing their returns on their own can get professional help from a tax assistance association or tax advisor. The costs are usually in the three-digit range and depend on the complexity of the case and income.
Bonus tip: Tax-related costs can be deducted from taxes in the following year.
What's new for the tax year 2024?
The federal government slapped some sweet tax reliefs on the table for 2024. There's an increased basic allowance that's now 11,784 euros, up from 10,908 euros. The child allowance will balloon by 600 euros to 6,612 euros, and parents can benefit from child benefit of 250 euros per child. The tax office will decide which option is best for you.
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. This change follows a ruling by the European Court of Justice (ECJ).
The mini-job threshold is escalating to 538 euros per month for the tax year 2024. This change stems from the increase in the minimum wage to 12.41 euros per hour (2025: 12.82 euros).
Folks who moved for professional reasons after February 29, 2024, can claim higher costs as deductible expenses. The moving allowance has been lifted to 964 euros. For each additional household member, an additional 643 euros can be claimed as a flat rate.
The costs for tutoring can now be claimed as deductible expenses up to 1,286 euros. This is a hike of 105 euros compared to 2023.
For those affected by the floods in 2024, various relief measures are in place, including deferrals, special depreciation for replacement acquisitions, and simplified evidence for donations.
Donations for Corona and Ukraine aid can be deducted as special expenses up to 20 percent of income.
- Tax return
- Deadline for submission
- Tax year
- Tax assistance association
- Tax advisor
- Change in Tax Rules
- To maximize your refund and avoid late fees, ensure you file your 2024 tax return by Thursday, July 31, 2025.
- If you need personal finance assistance with your tax return, consider seeking help from a tax assistance association or tax advisor to ensure accuracy and efficiency.
