(2023)
Can I claim funeral expenses in an unlimited amount?
No, the tax office only recognises funeral expenses up to a "reasonable amount".
Since 2003, a reasonableness limit of 7.500 Euro has applied. However, this limit should not prevent you from claiming your expenses in full and listing them individually.
If the estate is higher than the funeral costs, a deduction is not possible. Payouts from a funeral benefit insurance also reduce the funeral costs.
Tip: Funeral benefits paid to the heir do not reduce the deductible extraordinary expenses if they are taxable. Otherwise, the bereaved would be doubly disadvantaged for tax purposes - according to the Federal Fiscal Court's decision of 15.6.2023 (VI R 33/20).
