Deduct household-related services: cleaner, care, garden

For household-related services, such as cleaning, garden care, care or supervision in the household, you can deduct 20 percent of the labor costs directly from your taxes. This is a genuine tax reduction, not a mere deduction from the assessment base. Important are the invoice and cashless payment.

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For household-related services you can deduct 20% of the labor costs directly from the tax owed, up to a maximum of 4,000 euros per year (§ 35a EStG). For tradesperson services it is 20% up to a maximum of 1,200 euros.

The prerequisites are an invoice and cashless payment (bank transfer), the tax office does not recognize cash payment. Deductible are the labor, travel and machine costs, not the material.

What you should do now

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1. Record the services
Collect invoices for cleaning, garden care, care, supervision or caretaker services in the household.
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2. Pay cashlessly
Pay by bank transfer, only then is the service deductible. Cash payment is not recognized.
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3. Separate out the labor costs
Deductible are the labor, travel and machine costs, not the material. Have it shown on the invoice.
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4. Claim it in the return
Enter the costs in the tax return; 20% of them directly reduce your tax.

How to spot the scam

You pay cash, then nothing is deductible.
On the invoice, labor and material costs are not separated.
You exceed the maximum amounts in the calculation.

Frequently asked questions

How much can I deduct for a cleaner?

20% of the labor costs directly from the tax owed, for household-related services up to a maximum of 4,000 euros per year (§ 35a EStG). The prerequisites are an invoice and payment by bank transfer. A mini-job household helper is favored separately.

Do I have to transfer the money?

Yes. The tax office only recognizes cashless-paid services, i.e. by bank transfer with an invoice. Cash payments are not deductible, no matter how well documented. Keep the invoice and bank statement.

What about tradesperson services?

For these too there is 20% of the labor costs, but with a separate maximum amount of 1,200 euros per year. Material is not favored. Cleaning and garden care, by contrast, count as household-related services with the higher maximum amount.

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General information for self-help, not legal advice (RDG). In case of a high loss or uncertainty: contact a consumer advice center or a lawyer.