How to Get an Average Refund of €1,095
You can get an average refund of €1,095 with a German tax return!
Most students and employees are eligible, but many miss out by not filing.
A German tax return (Steuererklärung) allows you to reclaim overpaid taxes from the previous year. If you paid income tax (Lohnsteuer) through payroll deduction, you can claim various deductions to get a refund.
Prepare your tax certificate (Lohnsteuerbescheinigung), receipts, contracts, and other necessary documents.
Register with the ELSTER online system or use tax software (WISO, SteuerGo, etc.).
Enter personal information, income, and deductions. Most data is automatically imported.
Submit online and wait for the tax office review. Usually takes 2-6 months.
Official German government tax filing system. Free but can be complex to use.
Most popular tax software. Easy to use with excellent automatic calculation features.
Online-based tax software. Provides a simple and intuitive interface.
Most widely used online tax service in Germany. Suitable for beginners.
Mobile app for tax filing. Very simple and fast, ideal for straightforward cases.
Online tax service with free calculation. Payment only upon submission.
💡 Recommendation: For first-timers, we recommend paid software like WISO or smartsteuer. They automatically find deductions and reduce errors.
4 years retroactive. Example: In 2025, you can file for 2021 taxes (deadline: Dec 31, 2025)
By July 31 of the following year. Example: 2024 income by July 31, 2025 (extension possible with tax advisor)
Overall Average
Student Workers
Long-Distance Commuters
False information can result in penalties. All deductions require supporting documents.
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