The tax office (Finanzamt) is the authority responsible for taxes. It collects taxes, checks the information you provide and calculates how much tax you have to pay. Sometimes you also get money back from the tax office. Every place of residence belongs to a specific tax office. Tax offices are run by the federal states. That is why procedures, opening hours and forms can be slightly different depending on the state.
Where you will come across this word
You will often see the word in these situations:
- Tax return (Steuererklärung): You send information about your income and expenses to the tax office.
- Tax assessment (Steuerbescheid): The tax office sends you a letter with the result. It tells you whether you have to pay extra or will get money back.
- Self-employment: If you start a business (Gewerbe) or freelance work, you must register with the tax office. You will then get a tax number (Steuernummer).
- Marriage: After the wedding, married couples can change their tax classes (Steuerklassen) at the tax office.
- Employer: Your employer will ask for your tax ID (Steuer-ID). With this number, your employer reports your wage tax (Lohnsteuer) to the tax office.
What you should do
- Register your address: After registering your address (Anmeldung), you will automatically receive your tax ID by post. Keep this letter in a safe place.
- Find your local tax office: Which tax office is responsible for you depends on where you live. You can find it on the website of the tax administration (Finanzverwaltung) of your federal state.
- Read letters right away: Letters from the tax office often include deadlines. The deadline is stated in the letter. Make sure you meet it.
- Check whether you need to file a tax return: For some people, filing a tax return is mandatory, for example for many self-employed people. For others, it is voluntary. It is often still worth it, because you may get money back. There are legal deadlines for filing. Find out what the current deadline is.
- Do things online: You can do many things online using the official portal of the tax administration. You need to register for this.
- Respond to mistakes: If you do not agree with a tax assessment, you can file an objection (Einspruch). The deadline for this is stated in the assessment.
- Get help: For difficult questions, tax advisors (Steuerberater) or income tax assistance associations (Lohnsteuerhilfevereine) can help. This costs money.
Examples
- “Please submit the missing receipts to the tax office by the date stated.”
- “Your local tax office is the Finanzamt Mitte.”
- “Have you already received a letter from the tax office? Then you'll know whether you're getting money back.”
Related terms
- Tax ID (Steuer-ID): Your personal tax number for life. It does not change, even if you move.
- Tax number (Steuernummer): This number is issued by your tax office, for example to self-employed people. It can change if you move.
- Tax return (Steuererklärung): The form in which you state your income and expenses for one year.
- Tax assessment (Steuerbescheid): The letter from the tax office with the result of your tax return.
- Family benefits office (Familienkasse): It is responsible for child benefit (Kindergeld), not the tax office. Many people mix this up.