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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.

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?

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