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Showing results for tags 'tax return'.
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Hi! I am filing my tax return for 2020. I bought a laptop in May 2020 that I needed as a replacement for my existing half-dead laptop, because I work in computation (PhD student in a computational field) and home office is mandatory as per university rules. I am not sure whether or not I can receive a tax return. My German language skills are not so great. I understand that ideally I should be going for a tax advisor but perhaps the TT community can help me out? Here are the details: - I have an employer provided, desktop computer, in my office in the university. I used it for work before the pandemic (and still do via remote connection). Question 1: Is it possible to claim a tax return for the laptop given that I have a computer provided by my employer? - The laptop is a requirement. No laptop, no work. If asked for, I believe I can get my supervisor to write a letter stating that the laptop is a requirement. Question 2: Would such a letter be sufficient? Question 3. If I do go ahead with this I will talk to my supervisor first, but do I need to attach the letter in ELSTER, or I need to do it only when requested by the Finanzamt? - New laptop cost me approx 1400 EUR, bought in Germany. This post suggests that I can claim tax return on it but I have to spread it over the expected lifetime of the laptop. Question 4. Assuming that I can claim the return, how do I go about spreading the expenses over a number of years, in ELSTER? Also, how does one decide how long is the expected lifetime? I see the number 3 or 4 years depending on which website I am reading, but it's a bit confusing. - Question 5. Is there an upper limit on any of the deductions? How much? Does it matter that I will also be claiming the flat tax relief for the home office situation? - Any helpful resources (even if in German) related to this, are appreciated. I could search for them myself but it's a pain to do it without knowing enough German and what exactly to look for.
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How relevant must master study be to be able to claim it in tax return?
EscapeSoon posted a topic in Finance
Hi everyone, I'm banging my head against my desk trying to find relevant information about this issue. I studied Economics outside Germany and then moved to Germany and worked for some time in Supply Chain/ Master Data. Then I left Germany to pursue a master degree in Business in another EU country (and I never returned). I planned to claim some expenses, like study fees, on my tax return but I got a tip that for German tax authorities, my master degree may be too far removed from my job to be accepted as a job expense and therefore may be unclaimable. This does make sense for me, given that (from my experience at least) Germans usually stay in focused on one career/educational path and career changes seem somewhat rarer. But just to ask about experiences of others, who perhaps were in similar situation, what would you say? (Is there a chance this would pass?) Also, if I make a claim and it's rejected, will I be fined? -
Claiming Home Office related expenses (e.g. Corona) for 2020 tax return
itsthejb posted a topic in Finance
Hi everyone, Like many people here, I have been working 100% in Home Office since March, and expect to be doing so into 2021. Since my home has now become my one-and-only place of work, it's clear that I can plan to at least offset some expenses for necessary improvements to my workplace in next year's tax return. However, since I want to manage those expenses to maximise benefit, I'm slightly lacking clear guidance as to the limits. Main source article: https://www.steuergo.de/blog/home-office-und-corona-das-koennen-sie-absetzen/?pk_source=steuergo.de&pk_medium=email&pk_campaign=newsletter_200522&pk_content=thema_1&utm_source=steuergo.de&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter_200522&utm_content=thema_1 How it _seems_ to me: - I have an allowance of €1250 for the office space itself (basically, the rent), so it seems I can clearly claim that (no other workplace available) - Regarding items I want to purchase (new chair and desk), the limit is €952 per year, but I can continue to claim back on those up to the purchase price(s) in subsequent years whilst I use them. I assume this €952 allowance is in total, or is it per item? I hope someone can clarify those a little since they affect my purchasing decisions Many thanks -
Hi all, I'm new to the forum and have a question about my tax returns. I am employed in Germany and pay taxes here. Last year I started receiving rental income from my UK flat. I have declared this income in the UK and do not need to pay tax on it as it falls under the tax threshold. My question is - when I declare this to the Finanzamt, what will happen? I read that the UK has a double taxation agreement with Germany and I cannot be taxed twice on the UK income, but will the Finanzamt add the UK income to my German income and tax me on the total amount? I live in Germany for more than 180 days in the year, but still have a registered address in the UK. I plan to become a German citizen this year (and keep my UK passport). Would that put me in a different tax position? Any help is greatly appreciated. xxxx