Bescheinigung EU/EWR and German tax refunds

Do you want to benefit from German tax advantages even though you are not a German resident? It is possible with the EU/EWR form!

What is an EU/EWR Bescheinigung or Foreign tax office certificate for income tax returns?

If you work in Germany and are not resident there, you are considered a limited taxpayer who is not entitled to tax benefits in Germany. However, the EU/EWR form will allow you to take advantage of these benefits in the same way as a German resident. Why is this so? Because the EU/EWR form gives you the status of an unlimited taxpayer. With this status, you are then able to apply for a tax refund and also qualify for various other tax benefits.

Using the EU/EWR form in practice

The EU/EWR form is particularly useful for German tax refunds. To claim a refund, you must file a German tax return. The EU/EWR form is a compulsory part of the German tax return. The EU/EWR form will be validated by your home tax office, but only after you have filed your tax return in your home country. To get your tax refund, please make sure you complete the following steps:

1. File your tax return in your home country,
2. obtain the EU/EWR form,
3. file the tax return in Germany,
4. get your tax back.

EU/EWR form

You can download the EU/EWR form HERE.

TIP! We can help you fill in the EU/EWR form. Order our document replacing service.

Who validates the EU/EWR form and how?

The EU/EWR Bescheinigung form is validated by the competent tax office of your home country on the basis of the "Request for Tax Residence Certificate". But beware! The tax office does not fill in the EU/EWR form, it only confirms the information you have entered. Therefore, please make sure that the information you fill in is correct.

How to fill in the EU/EWR form?

You fill in the different parts of the form (except the last part) for yourself and your spouse as follows:

• Angaben zur Person (Personal data) - you fill in the personal data.
• Einkünften, die im Ansässigkeitsstaat der Besteuerung unterliegen (Income subject to taxation in the State of residence) - you fill in the gross salary, expenses and other income for yourself.
• Unterschrift (Signature) - fill in the date and signature.
• Bestätigung der ausländischen Steuerbehörde (Confirmation from the foreign tax office) - to be filled in by the tax office.

Need help filing your tax return? Please do not hesitate to contact us if you need help.