Tax deadlines in Germany depend on two questions: do you have to file, and do you use a tax advisor? Here are the dates that matter in 2026.

End of February: your Lohnsteuerbescheinigung

By the end of February, your employer has to report last year's salary data to the Finanzamt and give you your Lohnsteuerbescheinigung. You need it before you can file for 2025.

30 April: 2024 returns with a tax advisor

If you have to file and use a tax advisor or a Lohnsteuerhilfeverein, the deadline for tax year 2024 is 30 April 2026. This longer deadline is the last step of the extensions introduced during the pandemic.

31 July: 2025 returns if filing is mandatory

If you have to file a return for 2025 and do it yourself, it must reach the Finanzamt by 31 July 2026. If you submit through ELSTER, what counts is that it was sent successfully.

31 December: last chance for 2022

If you don't have to file, you can submit a voluntary return up to four years later. On 31 December 2026, the window for tax year 2022 closes. Returns for 2023, 2024 and 2025 can still be filed later.

1 March 2027: 2025 returns with a tax advisor

With a tax advisor, the deadline for a mandatory 2025 return is the end of February 2027. Because 28 February 2027 is a Sunday, it moves to Monday, 1 March 2027.

Other dates to know

  • 10 March, 10 June, 10 September, 10 December: advance tax payments, if the Finanzamt has set them for you
  • 30 November: last day to apply for a tax class change for the current year
  • One month after your tax assessment: deadline to object (Einspruch)

What happens if you're late?

If filing is mandatory and you miss the deadline, the Finanzamt can charge a late filing penalty (Verspätungszuschlag). In many cases it is 0.25% of the assessed tax, at least €25 for every month or part of a month you are late. If you know you'll need more time, ask the Finanzamt for an extension before the deadline; a short, informal request, for example through ELSTER, is enough. For voluntary returns there is no penalty, but after four years the refund is gone.

If you're expecting a refund, there's no reason to wait for the deadline. File as soon as you have your Lohnsteuerbescheinigung and get your money earlier.

Not sure which deadline applies to you? Start your return with Flinktax and we'll check it with you.

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