?When can I get my tax back?
We can apply for your German tax refund once the German tax year ends.If you’re applying for a refund from the last four years you can apply for your refund now. Get started here.
?When does the German tax year begin and end?
The tax year in Germany is from January 1st to December 31st.
?How much money will I get back?
We will claim back as much overpaid tax for you as we legally can. Exactly how much you can claim back will depend on multiple factors, including but not limited to:
The average refund we get for our German sailors is €2,750. Use our FREE online tax refund calculator now to see how much cash you could get back.
?How long will it take to receive my German tax refund?
It normally takes about 4 to 6 months to get your German tax refund.
?What happens during this time?
Once we receive your documents our certified public accountant checks them to make sure they’re compliant with German tax law. After that your tax declaration is prepared and sent to the German Tax Office along with your supporting documents.
Once it’s processed they’ll release your refund.
?How does Taxback.com work?
1. Get started by using our FREE refund calculator or filling out our short registration form.
2. We will give you your own personal online Tax Tracker account so you can keep up to date with the progress of your refund application
3. You send us your expense receipts and documents to ensure you receive your maximum refund amount
4. Relax while we do all the work and get you the maximum tax refund possible!
?How do I know what's happening with my tax return?
The best way to see what’s happening with your application is by emailing your account manager directly or checking your online Tax Tracker account.
?What are the advantages of using Taxback.com?
There are numerous advantages to using Taxback.com, some of which are:
?How much will it cost?
For tax refunds from Germany, we charge 16.5% + handling fee of the refund received, subject to a minimum fee of €50 + handling fee.
Our tax calculator however, will always be available to you as a free, no obligation tool for estimating your tax refund.
When submitting a tax return, it’s possible to take advantage of many different types of tax deduction in order to boost your refund due.
With this in mind, it’s important to note that tax consulting fees (such as the fee paid by Taxback.com customers) are eligible to be deducted on your German tax return.
?What documents do I need to apply for my tax refund?
You will need:
1. Your Lohnsteuerbescheinigungs.
2. Your Steuernummer.
?What is a Lohnsteuerbescheinigungs?
To claim your German tax refund we'll need your Lohnsteuerbescheinigung. This is the official government form that you receive from your employer at the end of the tax year. It outlines your earnings and the amount of tax you paid in that year.
If you've misplaced your Lohnsteuerbescheinigung, or you never received it, our document retrieval service can sort out replacements for you.
?What is a Steuernummer?
If you've applied for a tax rebate in Germany before, you'll have a Steuernummer, It is issued once you file a tax return.
The Steueridentifikationsnummer is your personal identification number. It is only issued once and is unique to you. This is your personal tax ID number for the rest of your life and is given to you when you register.
Having these numbers can speed up your tax refund application so make sure you let us know about them. You will find your number on your documents from the tax office.
?What should I do if I lost my payment documents or I never got them?
Try not to panic; just email germany@taxback.com to let us know and for a small fee we can find them for you.
?I earned money outside of Germany during the year – should I declare it?
Yes. You need to tell us about all your earnings for the entire year - including earnings outside of Germany. This doesn’t mean that your foreign income will be taxed in Germany and the German Tax authorities require this information to assess the most proper tax rate.
?Can I file my tax return myself?
Technically you could, but it’s not always as easy as it looks. It’s no fun spending time sitting at a computer screen searching for forms, decoding complicated tax law and ringing up tax help lines to get answers. That’s what’s great about using Taxback.com; you don’t have to do this. Let us speed through all the paperwork to file your tax return quickly and easily so all you have to worry about is what you’re going to spend your tax refund on!
?What's the difference between filing my tax return and getting my tax refund?
A tax return is document declaring your liability for taxation while a tax refund is the money you get back if you’ve made an overpayment for a particular tax. We file your tax return in order to apply for your tax refund.
?Can you guarantee that I'll receive the refund amount you estimated for me?
Our estimations are based on the information and documents that clients provide to us. While we can’t guarantee that final refund amount will match our estimation, we can guarantee that you receive your maximum legal tax refund by thoroughly analysing your case and applying all the deductions and benefits you’re entitled to.
?This year I have also been paid by companies in many different countries. Will this influence my tax refund?
Yes, we have to include in your tax return the amount you have earned in every jurisdiction.
If you apply for a tax refund with Taxback.com, we will look at your individual circumstances to make sure you get everything you are owed. It’s well worth checking what you can get back. Why not start by getting a free German tax refund estimation?
