Deduct daycare and childcare from your taxes
Childcare costs a lot, but a considerable part can be deducted from your taxes. For daycare, a childminder or after-school care you can claim the costs as special expenses and noticeably reduce your tax burden.
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What you should do now
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1. Compile the costs
Collect the pure childcare costs (daycare fees, childminder, after-school care), without meals.
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2. Pay non-cash
Pay the fees by bank transfer or direct debit, not in cash.
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3. State it in the tax return
Enter the childcare costs as special expenses (Annex Child).
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4. Check the current values
The percentage and maximum amount can change; check the values applicable for the respective year.
Frequently asked questions
Which childcare costs can I deduct?
Pure childcare costs for children up to the completion of their 14th year of age, such as daycare fees, a childminder or after-school care. They are deductible as special expenses (§ 10 EStG), a large part of the costs up to an annual maximum amount per child. Not deductible are meals, tutoring or leisure offerings.
What must I watch so the tax office goes along with it?
You need an invoice (for example the daycare's fee notice) and must pay non-cash; cash payments are not recognized. Enter the costs in Annex Child. Since percentages and maximum amounts can be adjusted by law, it is worth looking at the values applicable for the respective tax year.
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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.