Q: Can I use the Taxfix app as an expat, foreigner, or relocator?

Yes, you can use our tax app if… You lived part of the year in Germany and the other part abroad. You did not have more than 1 residence at the same time. You moved to Germany within the tax year you are declaring. You moved abroad within the tax year you are declaring. You had income from abroad: e.g. from interest/dividends, sale and rent or agriculture and forestry within the EU/EEA You had foreign employers but worked exclusively from Germany. You have received a back payment for work abroad (before the tax year).

Q: When do I have to file a tax return as an expat, foreigner or relocator?

You should file a tax return if… You changed the employer. You are considered part of tax class 6 and had two employers at the same time. You are in a civil partnership with the tax class combination 3 / 5 and 4 / 4 “mit Faktor”. You received a request from the tax office to file a tax return.

Question 1

What does the app do?

Accepted Answer

Taxfix can help you with your tax declaration. 
By answersing simple interview-style questions the Taxfix assistant gathers all the required information. The app uses this information to automatically fill in the official tax form in the backround. Once the questions have been successfully answered,  you can submit the tax return directly electronically from your smartphone or via web browser to the tax office.

Question 2

For which year does the app creates the tax declaration?

Accepted Answer

Taxfix supports you with your tax declarations for the previous 4 years.

Question 3

Do you also offer tax advice?

Accepted Answer

No, we do not offer tax advice. Taxfix does not replace a certified accountant. 
For specifc tax related questions where advice is required Taxfix offers information articles. These help with general questions about a particular issue, but not with individual tax issues.

Question 4

Who can not use Taxfix for his tax declaration?

Accepted Answer

Currently, the Taxfix app does not support all tax cases.
To use our app, your primary residence partly must be in Germany. 
The following cases are not available in the current version:

Freelancers, self-employed people, and tradespeople
Pensioners
Renting and leasing of apartments and houses
Financial support of adult relatives
Determination of profits for farmers and foresters
Income from a photovoltaic system

Our developers and tax experts are working on extending our app. However, the actual development time is difficult to estimate. Therefore, unfortunately, we cannot say when it will be possible to process these tax cases with Taxfix. We ask for your understanding.

Question 5

I still have questions. Can you help?

Accepted Answer

If our extensive article collection does not help you, you can contact our support team by e-mail. 
You can reach them at support@taxfix.de. 
Please note, however, that we can not offer you any tax assistance or tax advice. Our support team will be glad to help any technical questions or questions you may have about the app.

Question 6

Can I send you my feedbacks?

Accepted Answer

Your feedback is very important to us! So that we know what needs to be improved, please share your experience with Taxfix with feedback@taxfix.de.

Question 7

Can I use the Taxfix app as an expat, foreigner, or relocator?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can use our tax app if&#8230;

You lived part of the year in Germany and the other part abroad.

You did not have more than 1 residence at the same time.

You moved to Germany within the tax year you are declaring.

You moved abroad within the tax year you are declaring.

You had income from abroad: e.g. from interest/dividends, sale and rent or agriculture and forestry within the EU/EEA

You had foreign employers but worked exclusively from Germany.

You have received a back payment for work abroad (before the tax year).

Question 8

When do I have to file a tax return as an expat, foreigner or relocator?

Accepted Answer

You should file a tax return if&#8230;

You changed the employer.

You are considered part of tax class 6 and had two employers at the same time.

You are in a civil partnership with the tax class combination 3 / 5 and 4 / 4 &#8220;mit Faktor”.

You received a request from the tax office to file a tax return.

Question 9

Why do I have to declare my foreign income in my German tax declaration?

Accepted Answer

Regardless of whether a double taxation agreement (DTA) exists with the foreign state, if you live in Germany, foreign income is generally considered taxable income.

Question 10

Does the app apply the double taxation agreement (DTA)?

Accepted Answer

No. Cases in which actual double taxation (DTA) would occur are not yet supported by our app.

Question 11

How is foreign income taxed in Germany?

Accepted Answer

Foreign income that you earned during the time abroad is subject to the so-called “Progressionsvorbehalt” (Progression proviso). It is included in the calculation of your tax rate, meaning that this foreign income increases your tax rate for domestic income.
Foreign income earned during a stay in Germany is generally fully taxable. If a tax exemption is possible, the app will take this into account.

Question 12

What is the credit method (“Anrechnungsmethode”)?

Accepted Answer

The credit method is a way of avoiding or reducing double taxation, whereby the taxes paid abroad are credited against the tax you are due to pay in Germany. The app however is currently not able to do this.

Question 13

What is the exemption method (“Freistellungsmethode”)?

Accepted Answer

The exemption method exempts income that is taxed abroad from domestic taxation in order to avoid double taxation. If necessary, however, the income is calculated as part of the “Progressionsvorbehalt” (Progression proviso).

Question 14

Can I deduct work-related relocation costs from my taxes?

Accepted Answer

If your move was job-related, you can claim the relocation costs as so-called “Werbungskosten” (income-related expenses). The app will be asking you relevant questions regarding this.

Question 15

Is it possible to get a tax credit for the taxes paid to Germany?

Accepted Answer

The app calculates in advance whether too much tax money has been paid to Germany during the year. If this is the case, the app will display the expected tax refund from the tax office.

Question 16

What is an annual payslip (‘Lohnsteuerbescheinigung’)?

Accepted Answer

At the end of a calendar year or at the end of a period of employment, your employer has to issue an annual payslip (‘Lohnsteuerbescheinigung’). This document includes the following information, among others:
• Duration of employment activity
• Salary
• Withheld wage tax, the solidarity surcharge and, if applicable, the church tax
• Grants for maternity benefits and other remunerations (eg short-time allowance)
• Number of child allowances
The annual payslip should not be confused with your monthly payslip. Printed at the top of your annual payslip you will find the year which the document refers to.

Question 17

When do I get my annual payslip?

Accepted Answer

Usually you receive your annual payslip automatically from your employer by February of the following year. This document includes your wage tax contributions. 
If you ended your employment with an employer in the course of the year, then your employer will issue you with an annual payslip at the end of the contract.

Question 18

Entering data from annual payslip

Accepted Answer

The annual payslip is a core part of calculating your tax refund. You can enter the information on this document in three different ways.
You can choose whether you want to take a photo of the annual payslip, to import the data, or to enter the data manually.
The easiest way is to take a photo. The app automatically imports the relevant information.

Question 19

How should I take a photo of my annual payslip?

Accepted Answer

If you want to take a photo of your annual payslip, make sure that the document is placed on a dark background and is well lit. 
Also make sure that there are no other documents visible in the photo. 
Grid lines can help you position the camera correctly. After taking the picture your photo will be uploaded and the data imported into the app. Please check the data has been imported correctly.

Question 20

The data could not be read from my photo. What should I do?

Accepted Answer

Picture quality is decisive in whether the data can be read from your annual payslip and imported into the app. Make sure the text is sharp and in focus and that the document is placed on a dark background and no other documents are visible. 
If there are problems with the readability you will be notified by the app with an appropriate error message. In this case, repeat the process as per the instructions. Alternatively, you can enter the data manually.

Question 21

Results of tax calculation refund

Accepted Answer

In many cases you may be owed a tax refund due to paying too much in taxes. This amount is paid out to you by the tax office when you file a tax return.  
If you are not obligated to file, filing your tax return is completely free of charge up to a calculated tax refund of 50 euros.

Question 22

Additional tax payment

Accepted Answer

In some cases, you may have to pay additional tax. If you are not obligated to file, the filing of your tax return is free of charge in this case.

Question 23

Loss carryforward

Accepted Answer

If your costs exceeded your income, then you’ve made a loss for this tax year. You can carry this loss over into next year with a loss carryforward. This means that you will have to pay less tax in future years. If you are not obligated to file, the filing of your tax return is free of charge in this case.

Question 24

Loss carryforward combined with tax refund or additional payment

Accepted Answer

In some cases, it is possible that you have a loss carryforward and at the same time either receive a tax refund or have to pay additional taxes. The app will show you the result of the tax calculation and whether you will be charged for submitting your tax return.

Question 25

Can I choose to file my tax return voluntarily?

Accepted Answer

In many cases, you can choose to file your tax return voluntarily. This is beneficial when you expect a tax refund. However, there are some cases where you are legally obliged to submit your tax return:
• You belong to tax class III, IV with income ratio procedure (‘Faktorverfahren’), V, or VI.
• You have received wage replacement benefits of more than 410 euros.
• You have received more than 410 euros in supplementary income.
• You have tax free allowances on your annual payslip.
• You have a loss carryforward from the previous year.
• You run a business, work as a freelancer, or are self-employed.

Question 26

As a result of the tax calculation I can make use of a loss carryforward. What does this mean?

Accepted Answer

In many cases, you can choose to file your tax return voluntarily. This is beneficial when you expect a tax refund. However, there are some cases where you are legally obliged to submit your tax return:
• You belong to tax class III, IV with income ratio procedure (‘Faktorverfahren’), V, or VI.
• You have received wage replacement benefits of more than 410 euros.
• You have received more than 410 euros in supplementary income.
• You have tax free allowances on your annual payslip.
• You have a loss carryforward from the previous year.
• You run a business, work as a freelancer, or are self-employed.

Question 27

How much does it cost to use Taxfix?

Accepted Answer

Taxfix is available on our web site or as a free download from the App Store. You can even calculate your tax refund for free if you are just curious. Only in case your refund exceeds 50 euros or you are obligated to file Taxfix charges 39.99 euros per tax year.

Question 28

How do I pay?

Accepted Answer

The Taxfix fee will be automatically deducted from your account approximately 4-5 business days after you have entered the payment, your 22-digit IBAN, and confirmed it by &#8220;Pay Now&#8221;.

Question 29

Do I get confirmation of transmission?

Accepted Answer

Once your tax documents have been submitted to the tax office, you will receive an email confirmation from Taxfix. 
The tax authorities do not send an acknowledgment of receipt. In the app you can view and download the data transfer protocol. Here you will find, among other things, the date of transfer to the tax office.

Question 30

How can I download my tax return?

Accepted Answer

Your submitted tax return is provided to you as a PDF document within the app. This PDF confirms the receipt of your tax return at the tax office. 
Finding it is easy:

Open the Taxfix app and log in.
Select the tax year for which you have submitted your tax return.
Click on &#8220;Your tax return&#8221; and then on &#8220;Submitted PDF&#8221;.

You do not have to print out your tax return or send a signed copy to the tax office.

Question 31

How do I manage receipts and proofs?

Accepted Answer

As a rule, receipts from the 2017 tax return onwards must only be presented to the tax office on request.
However, you should always keep them in a safe place and show them if the tax officials want to see them.
It is not possible to submit receipts electronically together with the tax return. The tax office only accepts them by mail.
For more information about what documents might be necessary for your tax return and what you can do, if you don’t have the receipts, please read this article (At the moment, it is only available in German.).

Question 32

What does Taxfix have to do with ELSTER?

Accepted Answer

Taxfix is not the official tax software of the tax authorities. 
But the tax app uses the ELSTER interface to submit your tax data in accordance with the tax office. On that account you can always be sure that the tax office receives your data as if you had handed in the official forms.

Question 33

The tax assessment differs from the app calculation. What can I do now?

Accepted Answer

Your tax office is responsible for the calculation of your tax assessment. Only this authority can officially determine whether you receive a tax refund or if you have to make an additional payment.
Taxfix calculates your tax assessment with the greatest possible care on the basis of the data you entered. In some cases it is possible that the tax office may not accept some of your claims or entries. The Taxfix result may differ from your tax assessment.
However, you have the opportunity to file an objection against the tax assessment and, if necessary, submit supporting documents.

Question 34

When will I receive my tax assessment?

Accepted Answer

We cannot precisely say how long it takes to process your tax return. On average, you have to wait about 6-12 weeks to get your tax assessment sent by mail.
If, after four months, you still have not heard anything from the tax office, you can check and inquire as to the status of your submission. The most effective way to do this is via e-mail to your tax office with the transmission protocol attached.
If you prefer a phone call, it is best to speak to the so-called ELSTER representative and use the &#8220;Telenummer&#8221;. 
You will find this number in your tax return as a PDF within the app:

Open the Taxfix app and log in.
Select the tax year for which you have submitted your tax return.
Click on &#8220;Your tax return&#8221; and then on &#8220;Submitted PDF&#8221;.

Starting on page 2 on the PDF document, you can find the &#8220;Ordnungsbegriff&#8221; at the top of the page. The &#8220;Telenummer&#8221; consists of the last three digits of this keyword.

Question 35

When will I receive my tax refund?

Accepted Answer

We cannot exactly say how long it takes to process your tax return. On average you have to wait about 6-12 weeks to get your tax assessment sent by mail. 
If after 4 months you still have not heard anything from the tax office, you can check and inquire as to the status of your submission. The most effective way to do this is via e-mail to your tax office with the transmission protocol attached.

Question 36

Why don’t I get a refund?

Accepted Answer

Not everyone who submits a tax return will also receive a refund. The tax office calculates whether you have paid too much or too little tax. With Taxfix you can calculate in advance whether you can expect a tax refund or not.

Question 37

What happens to my data?

Accepted Answer

The security of your data is highly important. Taxfix transmits all data in encrypted form – whether these are sent to its own servers or even to the tax office. The encryption technologies used are also used by banks for their online services. Taxfix only transfers user data to the tax office if the user explicitly allows us to do.

Question 38

Why are so many personal data requested?

Accepted Answer

Our app ensures that all the information required by the Tax Office is collected. This also includes private data, such as your wedding date and children&#8217;s name. 
In doing so, we strictly follow the requirements for the official tax forms requested by the tax authorities. There is no further information requested.

Question 39

How are tax documents sent to the tax office?

Accepted Answer

Taxfix uses ELSTER to transmit your tax documents. ELSTER is the official service of the tax authorities. Taxfix automatically processes your data in such a way that they are automatically transmitted to the responsible tax office via the ELSTER interface.

Question 40

Can I delete my Taxfix account?

Accepted Answer

Of course you can. Send us an email at support@taxfix.de from the email address you used to sign up and register your account. We will then delete your Taxfix account.

Question 41

Which devices can I use for my tax return?

Accepted Answer

You can complete your tax returns on your smartphone with the app and also on your computer in the web browser. 
You can also switch between devices because your data are synchronized. 
If you use a device or a browser for the first time, it must be verified with a 6-digit code, which will be sent to you by email. Please check your email account after entering your PIN and wait for the message with the verification code.

FAQ about Taxfix

Questions about the app

Expats, foreigners and relocators

Questions about the annual payslip

Results of the tax calculation of the app

Questions about the tax declaration submission and payment

Questions about the tax assessment

Questions about data protection