Tax return in Germany for 2020 - Kurzarbeitergeld and other benefits

6th Apr 2021

Did you work in Germany last year and receive a Kurzarbeitergeld or other benefits? Don't forget to file a tax return.

Do I have to file a tax return at all?

Unemployment benefits (Arbeitslosengeld I), parental or maternity benefits (Elterngeld, Mutterschaftsgeld) serve as wage compensation and are thus exempt from tax (referred to in Germany as the Lohnersatzleistunge). However, if the total amount of these benefits exceeds EUR 410 a year, you must file a tax return.

By when do I have to file a tax return in Germany?

The tax return in Germany is always submitted by the end of July of the following year. Therefore, if you worked in Germany in 2020, you must submit the tax return to the tax office no later than 2nd August 2021 (this year, 31 July, it falls on a Saturday so you have to deliver your tax return to the office by 2nd August).

What do I need to do to file a tax return?

To process your taxes, you need to have your Lohnsteuerbescheinigung that you received from your employer. And you can start filling our application online, it will take you about 15 minutes**.

Don't have the necessary documents with you because your employer didn't give them to you? Or do you not dare to complete your tax return on your own? You can leave the worries about the tax return to us. All you have to do is to choose our Premium or VIP package in our tax return app and we will process your tax return for you.

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