7 Common Tax Mistakes Expats Make in Germany (And How to Avoid Them)
Moving to Germany is exciting, but the tax system can be confusing. Here are the most common mistakes we see — and simple ways to avoid them.
Moving to Germany comes with a lot of paperwork, and taxes are easy to put off. Most of the mistakes we see aren't dramatic, but they cost people money every year. Here are the seven most common ones and how to avoid them.
1. Thinking you don't need to file
Many employees don't have to file a tax return, so they assume it's never worth it. But a voluntary return often brings money back, on average around €1,000. And in some situations filing is mandatory: for example if you are married with tax classes III and V, had two employers at the same time, or received more than €410 in benefits such as parental allowance or unemployment benefit.
2. Missing the deadline for voluntary returns
If you don't have to file, you can still do it up to four years later. In 2026 that means tax years 2022 to 2025, but 2022 can only be filed until 31 December 2026. After that, the refund for that year is gone.
3. Forgetting the costs of moving to Germany
If you moved to Germany for a job, many moving costs can count as work expenses: transporting your belongings, travel costs, temporary double rent and a flat amount for smaller expenses. Keep the invoices and tickets from your move, even if you only file a year later.
4. Not claiming your commute
Every day you travel to your regular workplace counts, whether you go by car, bike, train or on foot. From 2026 you can claim €0.38 per kilometre of the one-way distance, from the first kilometre. Until 2025 it was €0.30 for the first 20 km and €0.38 from km 21. With 220 working days and 15 km each way, that's €1,254 for 2026.
Together with your other work expenses, the commute brings extra money once the total is more than the €1,230 flat allowance every employee gets automatically.
5. Ticking a church at registration without knowing
When you register your address (Anmeldung), you are asked about your religion. If you state a church that collects church tax in Germany, such as the Catholic or Protestant church, 8 or 9% of your income tax is added on top. If you don't want to pay church tax, you have to formally leave the church (Kirchenaustritt) at the registry office or local court, depending on your state.
6. Keeping the wrong tax class after marriage
After marriage, both partners are put in tax class IV automatically. That works well if you earn similar amounts. If one partner earns much more, the combination III and V can mean more net salary during the year, but then filing a return is mandatory. You can change tax classes through ELSTER or at the Finanzamt.
7. Throwing away receipts and ignoring letters
Receipts for a laptop, work clothes, training courses or a tax advisor are the proof behind your deductions. Keep them, even as photos. And open letters from the Finanzamt: you can only object to a tax assessment (Steuerbescheid) within one month. If you don't understand a letter, get help before that month is over.
Most tax mistakes come from not knowing the rules, not from carelessness. One check of your situation is usually enough to fix them for the coming years.
Not sure which of these applies to you? Start your return with Flinktax and we'll go through your situation step by step, in your language.
