Register a wage-tax allowance: more net already during the month

Instead of waiting for the tax refund next year, you can have an allowance registered for wage tax. Then you pay less wage tax each month and have more net. This is worthwhile if you have foreseeably high deductible costs.

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Your chances of getting your money back

You can have a wage-tax allowance registered at the tax office (wage-tax reduction), for example for high income-related expenses, long commutes, maintenance payments or extraordinary burdens. As a result, your monthly net rises.

The allowance applies as a rule for up to two years. Anyone who has an allowance registered is, as a rule, obliged to file a tax return so that things are settled at year-end.

What you should do now

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1. Estimate deductible costs
Determine whether you foreseeably have high income-related expenses, commutes, maintenance or extraordinary burdens.
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2. File the application
File the application for wage-tax reduction with the tax office and state the amounts.
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3. The allowance works monthly
The registered allowance lowers your monthly wage tax, more net immediately.
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4. File the return
At year-end you file a tax return in which the actual costs are settled.

How to spot the scam

You wait each year for a high refund instead of using the allowance.
You set the allowance too high and have to pay back in the end.
You forget the obligation to file a tax return when an allowance is registered.

Frequently asked questions

What is the point of a wage-tax allowance?

You pay less wage tax each month and have more net, instead of waiting until the tax refund in the following year. This is worthwhile if you foreseeably have high deductible costs, such as high income-related expenses or a long commute.

How do I have an allowance registered?

With the application for wage-tax reduction at the tax office. You state the expected deductible costs; the tax office registers a corresponding allowance in your electronic wage-tax data. It applies mostly for up to two years.

Do I then have to file a tax return?

As a rule yes. Anyone who has an allowance registered is mostly obliged to file a tax return so that the actual circumstances are settled at year-end. Set the allowance realistically to avoid back payments.

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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.