The next tax return is due? You don't always have an overview of all expenses that are tax-deductible. In many cases, money is returned from the state.
It is not immediately possible to think of the tax with every invoice. In many cases, however, there is money back on the next tax return, as tax experts emphasize – it affects very different areas of life. Here are some examples.
1. Deduct childcare expenses from tax
Childcare costs are partly tax-deductible. The Stiftung Warentest explains it: "Whether parents pay money for the care of their child or, as in the case of the au pair, provide benefits in kind such as food, is irrelevant – the value counts for the tax," it said in an article on Test.de. According to the tax experts, reimbursements, such as travel expenses, can also be deducted if they were incurred by the caregiver while caring for the child. However, the tax office only takes into account the costs "where the pure care of a child is in the foreground".
For example, in the child annex to their tax return, parents could declare the following items: contributions to kindergarten, daycare center, home, after-school care and crèche; costs of accommodation in a boarding school; Expenses for childminders and all-day foster homes. Regardless of whether it's a daycare center, after-school care center or the like: For children up to the age of 14, parents are allowed to submit bills of up to 6,000 euros for childcare, two-thirds of which – a maximum of 4,000 euros – per year and child would be recognized by the tax office. As in the case of craftsmen's invoices, the office only accepts amounts paid by direct debit or bank transfer.
A tax return is often annoying. But in many cases, there is money back. © Roman Möbius/Imago
2. Submit craftsmen's invoices
Tenants or owners receive a tax rebate if craftsmen repair, maintain or modernize something in their apartment, house or property at their own expense. "If craftsmen take over work in your condominium, your own home or property, such as roof or asbestos removal, painting or assembly work or furniture assembly, you can deduct 20 percent of the labor costs as well as travel costs and consumables directly from your tax burden," it said accordingly on Test.de.
Whether it's a chimney sweep, thermal insulation, drain cleaning or garden design - so as soon as a professional carries out such handicraft work, you can deduct 20 percent of your wages from your taxes. But: You can bill a maximum of 6,000 euros per year. This results in a maximum tax saving of 1,200 euros per year, according to the experts. Even when it comes to gardening, you sometimes have to rely on the help of professionals. Tips on what costs can be deducted from your taxes.
3. Didn't receive an energy allowance of 300 euros?
Actually, all employees and mini-jobbers should have received the energy price lump sum (EEP) automatically with their wages last year. However, taxpayers who did not receive the energy price lump sum of 300 euros in 2022, even though they were entitled to it, can get the money through their tax return. When submitting, the tax office automatically takes into account the lump sum, as the German Press Agency (dpa) also writes.
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4. High extraordinary burdens due to illness
Whether medical costs or, for example, expenses for prescription drugs: "If taxpayers have borne a particularly large amount of expenses for their own medical costs in a year, this can have a tax-reducing effect," emphasizes the Taxpayers' Association, according to dpa. The costs are entered in the tax return under the extraordinary burdens. The prerequisite is that the medical costs exceed the reasonable limit, according to the experts. This depends on the level of income, marital status and the number of children.