SteuerGo FAQs

Do I still need to declare child benefit if my child lives with my ex-partner?

If child benefit is claimed for a child, the parent who looks after the child receives the child benefit. However, if you are separated from your partner and are obliged to pay maintenance for the child, half of the child benefit is added to the maintenance calculation. This way, you indirectly benefit from half of the child benefit.

Therefore, you must declare half of the child benefit to which you are entitled in your tax return. Of the 255 Euro monthly child benefit to which you would be entitled in the year 2025, you enter 127.50 Euro per month. If you were separated for the entire year and the parent looking after the child received the child benefit for the entire period, you enter 1,530 Euro (12 times 127.50 Euro) for 2025 for the first child.

It is irrelevant whether you pay the full maintenance according to the „Düsseldorfer Tabelle“ or a reduced rate.