Filling out a tax form - help required

So, I made a grand total of 160 euro last year - but the finanzamt sent me something saying that I need to fill out a form declaring my income. Now, I have done my own taxes for 15 years (even while overseas for last few) so it is not that I was trying to avoid the fianzamt - Just that the lady there told me when I registered for my tax number last Nov that I would not need to do anything with basically no income - which of course now I know I do.

I was given 2 forms by anther lady there as well as a CD - but I have such primative German so is no way I can do this myself. Next year I will of course hire a tax advisor as they will also help me save paying taxes, but for this year I can not see (nor can I afford) to hire one to fill out forms for 160 euro.

I was hoping that maybe someone out there who knows German well enough and has filled out the forms could maybe help me in exchange for a drink or two.

Details - I am a freelance English teacher - made 160 euros (I tried to ask the school back then if I could invoice them in Jan, but they said no, so was done in Dec) - Is the ONLY income from Germany.

So - can anyone help me out please :-)
Thanks,
Babs

You might first want to get the letter you have received checked/translated. I thought (but I don't know!) you don't need to fill out any forms if your income is below a certain level. It might be you simply need to write back to tell them your income is below that level, so you won't be completing any forms...

I assume, of course, this is your only income in Germany (including income from employment or social benefits)

YL6

I've never filled out my own tax forms before either, but it can't be too complicated with that income. I'll help you read the forms if you don't get a better (more experienced) offer.

@ Yorkshire - I went to the office and spoke with someone who spoke English and they said that you must still declare taxes even if only earned 1 euro. Yes, the income was the only income - I didnt move here until Oct and didnt start work until Dec. Thanks for you help though - this is what I thought as well and why I did nothing before receiving the letter.

Also, think maybe it is because it is my first time and I am not in the system.

Anyway - Have found someone to help me and will turn them in today.

@ Kat- Thanks so much for your offer - this is actually what I had someone do, translate it for me and ends up I only had to literally write my name, address, DOB, etc... and put 160 on 1 line at the top and sign it. Knew it would be super easy - but now when I dont know German (yet )

Thanks again,
Babs

are you sure its mandatory to declare or have you not paid any tax on your 160 euro yet?. I've earned thousands of euro the last couple of years but haven't declared anything as such. Obviously my tax gets taken off at source and my lohnsteurkarte is submitted to my employer but I've never dealt directly with the finanzamt

@Boomtown - Speaking to German colleague he says he thinks it is not mandatory unless you owe the Finanzamt money, in which case you have 5 mths to submit your tax return (with a tax consultant 9 or 10 months?).

But he says you should submit a return because you will more than likely get a tax rebate as many things here are tax deductable (such as travel to work). Apparently you have about 2 years to claim any rebate... you miht be sitting on a nice nest egg there!