SteuerGo FAQs

(2022) Which work-related expenses can I claim in the tax return?

If you've never heard the term employment expenses, you might mistakenly think it refers to advertising costs. This is incorrect. Employment expenses are costs incurred by an employee in connection with their employment. Work equipment, work clothing, union fees, and travel expenses are examples of the many employment expenses.

The tax office grants every employee a flat rate for their total employment expenses, the employee allowance. This amount is automatically credited and recognised by the tax office. Employees do not need to provide evidence for employment expenses up to this amount. The current employee allowance is 1.200 Euro.

Employment expenses as an employee (e.g. travel expenses and account management fees) can be entered in the "Employee > Employment expenses" section at SteuerGo.

Travel expenses for commuting to work (commuter allowance)

The commuter allowance is 30 cents per one-way kilometre for the first 20 kilometres and 38 cents from the 21st kilometre (in 2021: 35 cents). The relevant employment expenses for commuting to work are calculated as follows: The one-way distance multiplied by the working days in the tax year and then multiplied by the commuter allowance of 30 cents or 38 cents.

Work equipment

At most tax offices, you can claim costs for work equipment up to a total value of 110 Euro without proof. If you have incurred higher expenses, you should be able to present all receipts upon request from the tax office.

Professional associations

Professional associations are interest groups for a profession (e.g. trade unions, civil service associations, employers' associations) that represent the interests of their members in relation to their professional and business activities. The expenses can be claimed in full as employment expenses.

Application costs

If you applied for a job last year, you incurred costs that you should declare in your tax return. If you cannot provide individual receipts for the expenses incurred, you may also claim application costs as a lump sum. The Cologne Tax Court considers 8.70 Euro for elaborate application folders and 2.70 Euro for simple applications, e.g. via the internet, per application to be reasonable (FG Köln Az: 7 K 932/03).

Travel expenses and additional meal allowances

Unlike commuting to work, every kilometre counts on a business trip (temporary employment, driving activity). The business trip allowance is staggered. The additional meal costs associated with a business trip can be deducted by the employee as employment expenses at a precisely defined rate, the so-called meal allowance.

Double household

If your place of work is far from your home and you need to take a second home for this reason, this is considered a double household. Certain costs incurred as a result can be deducted from your taxes.

>>> Further information on individual employment expenses can be found on our input pages when you process your tax return! <<<