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Commuter flat rate: get the maximum out of the tax refund

2022-08-09T06:02:06.405Z


Commuter allowance: This is how you get the maximum out of the tax refund Created: 08/09/2022, 07:35 By: Marcus Efler Anyone who works in an office or factory can claim the way there for tax purposes. A few tricks help to optimize this commuter flat rate. Not only since Finance Minister Christian Lindner (43, FDP) proposed an increase in the commuter allowance has it been considered a tried an


Commuter allowance: This is how you get the maximum out of the tax refund

Created: 08/09/2022, 07:35

By: Marcus Efler

Anyone who works in an office or factory can claim the way there for tax purposes.

A few tricks help to optimize this commuter flat rate.

Not only since Finance Minister Christian Lindner (43, FDP) proposed an increase in the commuter allowance has it been considered a tried and tested means of relieving the burden on citizens.

It is correctly called a distance allowance and is part of the income-related expenses for employees.

So you don't have to pay tax on the corresponding amount, it is usually taken into account in the tax return - so there is money back from the state.

Namely 30 cents per day and kilometer.

Not only drivers get the commuter allowance.

(Iconic image) © David-Wolfgang Ebener/dpa

Since this year, long-distance commuters have received slightly more than before, namely 38 cents from the 21st kilometer.

The distance allowance differs from the kilometer allowance for the self-employed in that it only applies once to the journey to work, i.e. not to the outward and return journey.

Commuter allowance: This is how you get the maximum out of the tax refund

Employees should take this into account when calculating the distance allowance:

  • Every employee gets the commuting allowance – regardless of what means of transport they use to commute, and even if they cycle or walk.

    You don't even have to own a car or a driver's license.

  • You don't necessarily have to specify the shortest route from home to work.

    If, for example, it is faster to cross the ring road than through the middle of the city despite the distance, you can also use this longer distance.

    However, this must be plausibly justified.

    If you exaggerate, you risk that the tax officer will become suspicious and dig deeper.

  • You don't have to count every single day, you can usually just enter 220 to 230 days.

  • If you live relatively close to your workplace, it can be cheaper for you to at least partially use the home office flat rate instead of the commuter flat rate - provided you do your job from home or could do it.

    This is five euros per day.

    If the distance to the workplace is less than 17 kilometers, it makes sense to state as many home office days as possible.

    The same applies here: do not overdo it.

  • Low earners get the mobility premium instead of the distance allowance.

    It applies to employees who earn less than around 10,300 euros a year and therefore do not pay income tax.

    The calculation of this premium is relatively complicated and depends on the actual income.

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Source: merkur

All tech articles on 2022-08-09

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