As of: February 15, 2024, 5:02 a.m
By: Carina Blumenroth
Comments
Press
Split
When a loved one dies, it is difficult for those left behind to cope.
Losses come with costs.
Some can be deducted from your taxes.
These are tasks that are probably not easy for any relative: planning the funeral of a loved one.
What type of funeral did the deceased want and what costs are associated with it?
In some cases there is no exact idea of how everything can be implemented.
Sometimes the financial burden behind it can cause sleepless nights.
Under what conditions can you deduct funeral costs from your taxes?
Deduct funeral costs from tax
You may be able to claim funeral expenses as a tax deduction.
© Verano/Imago
If a close relative dies, under certain conditions the costs can be stated as an extraordinary burden in the tax return, informs the portal
lohnsteuer-kompakt.de
.
This is the case, for example, if you have to cover the costs for legal reasons.
However, this also applies if you have borne the funeral costs for moral reasons and the costs cannot be borne by the deceased's estate.
Can I claim the costs if the estate is higher than the funeral costs?
No, if the discount is higher, no deduction is possible.
If there is death benefit insurance, the funeral costs are also reduced, informs
lohnsteuer-kompakt.de
.
If spouses want to protect each other financially, they can draw up a joint will, the so-called Berlin Will.
In doing so, they initially appoint each other as the sole heir.
What actually belongs to the funeral costs?
Costs of death: funeral home, medical costs, death certificate, death certificate, repatriation, obituary, coffin, urn, inquest, burial
Costs for the gravesite: grave, use, preparation, gravestone, inscription, grave design, initial planting, grave maintenance
Costs for the funeral service: fees for the funeral hall/church, floral decorations, wreaths, priest/chandelier, eulogist, pallbearers, travel costs
Possible financing of the funeral (loan interest), arrears of the deceased, cleaning of the apartment
My news
Apply for a certificate of inheritance: How to prove that you are an heir read
Tax return: When does it have to be submitted to the tax office in 2024 at the latest?
read
Berlin will for married couples: When it makes sense and what difficulties there are to read
Bad news for pensioners: This is how long you theoretically have to work for a civil service pension
Turn 100 euros a month into 150,000 - with six steps to your goal reading
Assets in Germany: Which class you belong to with your net assets read
Would you like valuable money-saving tips?
Merkur.de's “Clever Save” newsletter always has the best money-saving tips for you every Thursday.
When does an obligation arise for legal reasons?
If you are appointed heir, you are legally obliged to cover the costs of the funeral.
If you inherit more in total than the funeral costs, you cannot claim the costs as tax deductions.
Attention: In addition to cash assets, the estate also includes possible real estate, informs the
Income Tax Assistance Association.
What is a moral obligation?
A relative who does not inherit anything is legally not obliged to cover the funeral costs.
A moral obligation can arise if other relatives expect the costs to be covered.
The
Income Tax Assistance Association
reports that in such cases it is generally possible to demand reimbursement of costs from heirs, but this is often not possible.
If you declare a takeover for moral reasons to your taxes, the tax office will examine the individual case.
Is there a cap on funeral costs?
You cannot claim unlimited costs for tax purposes.
It must be an “appropriate amount” that you can declare to the tax office.
This has been 7,500 euros since 2003.