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Know if you’re still eligible to file your 2019 tax return in 2021, how to save on taxes, and what you need to submit taxes.
Although the deadline to file your mandatory 2019 tax return (even with tax advice) has already passed, it’s still possible to file a voluntary tax return.
In this guide, we explain how to get back (maximised) refunds from your 2019 voluntary tax return in 2021. Learn relevant facts about income-related expenses, discover easy programmes for filing your annual tax return, and other tips.
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If you have not yet filed your mandatory tax return for 2019, you should do so as soon as possible. The reason for this is that your potential penalty increases with each passing month. However, the tax office will give you more time if you file voluntarily.
Voluntary submission of tax returns for a particular year is possible for 4 successive years.
Deadline for the voluntary 2019 tax return: December 31, 2023.
Why you should file your income tax return for 2019right away:
Note on 'Income tax return 2019': Colloquially, the income tax return (Einkommensteuererklärung) of employees is also sometimes called 'wage' tax return (Lohnsteuererklärung). Strictly speaking, however, this term does not exist. When filing taxes, regardless of whether you are employees or not, you file the 2019 income tax return by default, not the 2019 wage tax return.
The term 'Lohnsteuer(jahres)ausgleich' or (annual) wage tax compensation is also not something for which employees need to take responsible. The employer takes responsibility for this task if certain criteria are met.
Does most of your income come from non-self-employment work? Then, income-related expenses (Werbungskosten) are a key way to save taxes. Income-related expenses pan across various areas and cover work-related expenses for which there is no reimburement. Examples include:
You can also deduct some private expenses from your taxes. For instance, if you’ve hired someone to help you host a wedding at home, you can deduct the services as household-related services or craftsmen’s services:
Special expenses or ‘Sonderausgaben’ allow you to list additional private expenses in your 2019 tax return. some of them include:
It’s possible to declare unexpected expenses entailing unpleasant and tragic circumstances that took place in 2019. Extraordinary expenses (außergewöhnliche Belastungen) can include:
The 2019 tax year brought simplifications and higher fixed benefits. Here is an excerpt of the changes in tax law for 2019:
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Filing your tax return doesn’t have to be complicated, especially with Taxfix. You’ll probably even have a little fun doing it!
However, you should have a few documents ready so that 2019 tax filing goes smoothly.
Follow this guide and your tax return will be as quick and stress-free as possible.
To get started with your tax return, you need certain information. You should have the following documents and records at hand:
Apply tax tips and legal tax tricks to your 2019 tax return. Then you can expect a decent tax refund. All you need is receipts – proof of your expenses – and our tips! Because lump sums and tax hacks we know! 🙂
Look for receipts and invoices for these expenses right out of your records:
Income-related expenses (Werbungskosten):
Special expenses (Sonderausgaben):
Standard fixed amounts: Tax-deductible without receipts
If you want to get your tax return done as quickly as possible, standard fixed amounts (lump sums) may save you time, as explained in this blog.
Hard to remember? We’ve got you!
Opaque tax jungle? You’re not alone, it’s easy to feel lost. Luckily, Taxfix’s smart and simple tax app asksyou to enter specific expenses and makes it convenient to do so. you can be sure not to forget any of your 2019 tax year expenses when filing your return.
Designed with the help of tax experts, the Taxfix app empowers you to reclaim overpaid taxes each year. Simple, fast, secure, ELSTER-certified.
The classic way to file a tax return is through ‘My ELSTER’, the official online programme of the tax office.
It consists of numerous forms. You enter your tax situation and show the tax office what you earn, have spent, etc. There’s a lot of tax jargon (in German) to work through so make sure you keep a couple of hours aside for this task.
For an employee, the following forms of the 2019 tax return are particularly relevant:
Perhaps this is already a bit too complex. In general, ELSTER is not known to offer the highest level of user-friendliness. The level of (sometimes irrelevant, depending on your tax case) detail and complex tax terms make the tool unpopular with many people.
Alternatives lie in software solutions as computer downloads, browser programs and smartphone apps. One such app is Taxfix.
Taxfix comes in two forms: as a browser-based tax tool and a mobile smartphone app. The good thing here is that both have identical user interface and constantly cross-synchronise. So, you can switch between the programmes during your tax return without an issue.
Entering your data is very simple: Instead of filling out endless tax forms, you enter your tax data in a simplified question-and-answer process. We only ask you what is relevant to your tax return. No tax jargon.
After you have answered the questions, Taxfix estimates your tax return on the spot and for free.
If you want, we can submit your tax return directly via the ELSTER interface. Find out on the costs page which costs apply for submitting.
If you want to submit through Taxfix, we have good news: you can deduct the Taxfix fee from the next year’s tax return as an income-related expense.
Start your 2019 tax now, without obligation and with a free of charge tax refund calculation, from anywhere. Taxfix has everything you need for a correct, simple and fast tax return for 2019.
Lino Teuteberg and Mathis Büchi founded the fintech startup Taxfix in 2016. Taxfix helps hundreds of thousands of people file their annual tax returns quickly, correctly, and without stress. Experienced tax experts, lawyers, and developers collaborate at Taxfix to demystify taxes and create an intuitive tax-filing app. The goal: simplify tax returns to make refunds accessible to all taxpayers.