German tax reminder letter

Today I got this letter in the mail... apparently I didn't fill out some forms before I left Munich, but does anyone have any idea what it means what's stated in the third column, and how I can figure out what I still have to fill out??

They are reminding you to file your taxes. We got one too. Good thing that we just filed last week.

It means you didn't do an income tax declaration.

Whether you actually do one or not depends on how much of a tax refund you think you might get or of course how much extra tax you might have to pay.

The third column is just telling you which paragraphs in the miniscule german tax code are relevant.

It's more than just income tax, it's also Umsatzsteuer (VAT), both for the year 2004, so presumably you were here during that year and also registered as self employed, or as a company. They also require you to submit the required return by 01.12.2005, so you'd better get a move on! They point out that that this is no entitlement to an extension of submision date (although you could apply for one, if you can justify it), and that if you don't submit they will estimate your return and charge you interest on any estimated payments in the interim

YL6

Whats more, you should support the work of the Finanzamt by filing your taxes on time.

Hope I am not too off topic but what should I expect to pay for someone preparing my taxes for 2005? I have no receipts, so it theory it should be an easy time. I am looking for a ballpark figure , maybe if someone has used of of the tax advisors that advertise on TT , let me know how it went

Join a tax verein. We did that this year and it has been great. Costs less in the long run and they really know their stuff.

What's a tax verein exactly?
Can you send me a link?

http://www.lohnsteuerhilfe-muenchen-ev.de/sitemap.htm

The weird thing is, that this letter is sent to my parents' address, and it says "Errinnerung an die Angabe der Steuererklärung(en) für <my name>". I have already sent a "Fragebogen zur beschränkten Steuerplicht" in the beginning of this year, and that was the form where I had to fill out my parents' address. This "fragebogen" was all that I got from the Finanzamt when I left Munich...

And...if they tell me to fill out a form, why don't they send the form with this letter??? makes the paperwork a lot easier...

Maybe they expect you to do it online
See here Tax Declaration

hate...finanzamt...death to...finanzamt...thieving bastards...

There would be something wrong with you if you didn't hate the taxman, whatever country you are in!

Or you could be a socialist. They love tax. Oh I guess that comes under the category of something being wrong with you

Thanks Allershausen! I'll take a look at the online Elster module.

I thought tax returns were non-mandatory? Or will I have to do one if/when I leave Germany?

As far as I know not paying VAT (mwst/ Umsatzsteur) debts is a criminal offence and will be pursued by the relevant authorities. This could mean that should you find yourself returning to Germany for any reason, you could end up under arrest. I think you'd agree that this is to be avoided!

Annual tax returns are mandatory, for anyone with an income, no matter how small or where from, and even if as a result of submission no taxes will be due (i.e. your taxable allowances exceed your income). Sparty appears to have previously registered as self-employed or as a business, as they want him to submit a VAT return too. You are expected to take the initiative to submit (usually by end of March the following year, but can extend to the end of September if you have professional assistance, e.g from an accountant). If you've not submitted (or applied for further extension) by the end of September then the reminders are sent out, as Sparty and others (including me!) have experienced. You can submit returns electronically, but this does require good knowledge of accounting and German. Better to seek professional help - this can save money in the long term. As Sparty left Germany already there may even be refunds due, or additional allowances he can claim. This is where professional support helps...

YL6

I agree. An accountant can do a much better job than you can yourself. He knows what you can and can't deduct and as a freelancer there are quite a few things that are deductable. Who knows you might even get some of the mwst back! Assuming you've been paying it to the Finanzamt that is!

The best thing about the Finanzamt is that the branches in each state don't communicate with each other. Ever. That's caused a few problems for me in the past. Very, very expensive problems.

how come I haven't had to do one? Or is the submission of my lohnsteurkarte to my company (at the start of the tax year - I receive it back with an income summary at the end of each year) effectively a tax return? Will this cause probs when I deregister?

You should be submitting a return. The Lohnsteuerkarte completed by your company is purely evidence of employed income that you include as evidence with the tax return. The tax return will then permit you to claim additional allowances you may be entitled to, along with any additional income you may have received... The tax your company have deducted is simply standard tax for your marital status. The are usually loads more allowances (home-office, travel costs to/from work, seocnd home if you are an ex-pat, removal costs if you moved here in the tax year, charitable donations, insurances, etc., etc. As a result submitting the return usually results in a refund...