Hi,
I submitted a [late] tax return for 2006 in early September 2007 using WISO Sparbuch and the Elster Online system. My German is pretty poor, but I managed to use the software, and I'm under the impression the tax return was submitted... this is what the software says at least.
But 3 months later, and I have received nothing in the post from the Finanzamt, and the WISO Sparbuch software says after contacting the Elster system that no decision has been reached on my tax return.
The tax return itself should have been straightforward to process, and I'm due to get a good bit of money back, so I don't want to lose this.
If anyone has any experience with this...
Should I be worried? Or is 3+ months pretty normal to have to wait, especially given that I handed it in 6 months after it was technically due? In particular, should I be worried given that I'm approaching the year-end of 2007?
Does anyone know if the Finanzamt accept queries about the status of returns via email, or do you need to phone / call in person?
This may sound like a silly question, but where I come from it can make a big difference when interacting with the state institutions that you call in person, as emails are often ignored. But my German is still sufficiently poor that I try to do these things by email if at all possible.
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Tax return processing times by the Finanzamt
Normal to get no confirmation after three months?
In my personal experience, it has taken anywhere from one to six months to receive feed-back after filing my income taxes.
Always done it the old-fashioned way, though, never via internet.
Always done it the old-fashioned way, though, never via internet.
QUOTE (eof @ Dec 2 2007, 9:54 pm) 
Does anyone know if the Finanzamt accept queries about the status of returns via email, or do you need to phone / call in person?
This may sound like a silly question, but where I come from it can make a big difference when interacting with the state institutions that you call in person, as emails are often ignored. But my German is still sufficiently poor that I try to do these things by email if at all possible.
This may sound like a silly question, but where I come from it can make a big difference when interacting with the state institutions that you call in person, as emails are often ignored. But my German is still sufficiently poor that I try to do these things by email if at all possible.
You could always fax them or - better yet - write a good, old-fashioned letter.
If I remember right, my last tax return took about... 3-4 months? Filed via Elster and directly submitted in written form for confirmation, both on time though.
They're only people, for Gods' sake - armed with your tax number simply call them. You might find them surprisingly helpful. I've got to know the woman dealing with my tax affairs quite well, much though she does everything by the book, she's very approachable, and often quite helpful.
I second Yorkshire Lads reasoning here.I have been in touch with mine and they check up on the computer and tell you if its in the records.If it is you have to bide your time.You cannot rush these people after all they are civil servants.
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