Finance and bureaucracy

Public transport in Germany

by

This topic is about how to get the most information from the Deutsche Bahn website, what are the cheapest tickets, how to find regional transport sites and how to buy a ticket, what is written on the board at the station and what the announcements on the train mean. Part 1: Trains in Germany

What’s new in Germany 2023. Social, insurances, medicine

by

The social sphere will be in the most turbulent state in 2023, because the old social benefits Harz 4 system is being destroyed, but what will appear to replace it will still have to be seen.

Read more

What’s new in Germany 2023. Energy, ecology, finance

by

We traditionally study what awaits us in 2023 in German laws. In the first part, these are hot energy, financial and environmental topics. In general, life is expected to be a little easier, but sometimes additional environmental fees or social contributions still pop up.

Read more

Who should file a tax return in Germany

by

Briefly about who should file a tax return in Germany, I wrote in the introduction to the topic on filling out a German income tax return. But there was no answer to the question:
I came in Germany this year
I am employee and have no other income
– should I file a declaration in Germany for this year?

In the list of those who must file a tax return in Germany, there are no fresh arrivals in the country. But my old memories of working for a tax magazine brought to the surface a vague knowledge of tax residency. Let’s try to understand this difficult topic, but first we will find out who is still on the list of those who must file.

Read more

Child expenses in Germany in October 2022

by

We begin to record the costs of three children in Germany. Age categories: toddler, primary school child, teenager.

Mode of use is economical. A rare budget with three children will survive with all bio. We prefer not bio, but what is called in Germany “nachhaltig” (I don’t meet still good translation: “nachhaltig” means with thinking about nature, without unnecessary).

Read more

And you thought you were being praised. German certificate of employment Arbeitszeugnis

by

German certificate of employment Arbeitszeugnis is a carefully coded document to be studied with a list of words and expressions.

Knowing the German language fully is not only knowing the words and grammar. Because hints play a huge role in German. They never speak their mind directly. A direct statement is often perceived as aggression, or a threat, or arrogance. This is not surprising, because if, as you will see later, a negative characteristic is hidden under the indication of punctuality, then the mind, looking for subtext everywhere, will see an insult in simple direct criticism.

Read more

Actual this autumn: emergency storage, corona rules and declaration of real estate

by

It’s still warm outside, but the lack of city lighting is a clear reminder that a hard winter is just around the corner. The German media regularly publishes a list of what the government thinks you should have in reserve in case of emergency. At the very least, long-term blackout are highly likely. Let’s look at this list. At the same time we will look at what is required of us in connection with the corona (do you remember this one?).

Read more

Traffic light government in the fight for the love of voters. Help from government in Germany

by

The government rolled out another generous gift to voters. Somewhere in the back of my mind, the thought is tossing and turning about how much we must pay later, something like “tax-free” Elterngeld, for which you will pay later, when submitting a declaration. But for now, let’s put the thought of the consequences in the attic and rejoice that we are remembered and loved. Next – how exactly they remember about us.

Read more

Grundsteuererklärung – real estate declaration in Germany

by

The Grundsteuererklärung real estate declaration in Germany, although it took a long time to prepare, does not have good explanations with examples. It took me two weeks to fill out, understand and order the papers.

Each land has its own data requirements, but the main points remain the same for all. I have Baden-Württemberg. I consider the declaration from the point of view of an ordinary owner of apartment, not an investor and not an entrepreneur. Links to official comments on the federal states – in part one Summer surprise. Real estate declaration in Germany.

If you haven’t started filing a real estate declaration yet, do it now. The time is already approaching the middle. The declaration must be submitted by everyone who owns real estate (apartment, house, garage – in whole or in part). Even apartment owners own some land (Grundstück).

Read more

How to change health insurance in Germany

by
Health insuranse in Germany

We have already found out how the contributions to the state health insurance are formed, who is obliged to have it, and what exactly of the medical services we are paid for, and for which we will have to pay extra. Now let’s find out how to change health insurance in Germany if another insurance promises a lot of free additional services or if the old one does not suit us with its service.

Read more

Credit cards in Germany

by

Credit cards in Germany are the second vital issue after Girokonto. Everyone wants to effortlessly buy online or book. But before we plunge into the world of credit cards, let’s see if we can do without them.

What is Girokonto in Germany
Sale of used items (Privatverkauf). Private warranty
What is allowed to do if you are sick without to be fired
German tax refund – What I can claim to return. I-N
Renovation cost in Germany. Who pays

Read more

What is Girokonto in Germany

by

An account in Germany is the most important thing to do after moving, because all current payments here go through an account called Girokonto.

This topic is about what is giroconto, what is important for choosing giroconto, and also about what other accounts there are.

Read more

9-euro public transport ticket and other gifts

by

Fuel prices are no longer shocking, only evoke grim resignation, and this mood of the herd does not suit the shepherds – because it makes them a suicidal government that is destined to be swept away and trampled into history in the next electoral cycle. Therefore, it is urgently required to spread the straws and add food. Food and straw should be any that are in stock. So the measures to save us from fuel prices are also a little rotten.

Chief among them is the much publicized 9-euro public transport ticket. I kept waiting for it to finally be approved. After all, they might not have accepted it, the measure is doubtful. But the advertising was so wide that it was already impossible not to accept. Therefore recently for the 9-euro ticket finally voted. The pre-sale starts on May 23rd.

Read more

Tax declaration Germany. Anlage EÜR

by

Filling out Anlage EÜR was not so easy. I once thought that Anlage EÜR is a simple piece of paper with two columns: “Income” and “Expense”. It turned out that this is such a concentrated declaration, where much of what is in a regular declaration is repeated, only in relation to entrepreneurs. Anlage EÜR even has its own applications.

But despite its formidable size, filling out the Anlage EÜR is always presented as the biggest advantage for small entrepreneurs – compared to the dreaded and scary accounting.

Read more

What is selbstständig, Unternehmer, Honorar, Firma in Germany

by

What is selbstständig and how does it differ from Unternehmen? Selbstständig in Germany is an individual entrepreneur with a small business, as opposed to Unternehmen with a bunch of employees? Freiberufler is a freelancer or not only? And if I work for a Honorar – am I a Freiberufler? Let’s take a look at the statuses.

What is Öffentliche Dienst
Who belongs to Freiberufler and what other forms of part-time work are there in Germany (Minijob, ehrenamtlich)
Credit cards in Germany
German tax return. Anlage WA-Est
Home office tax deduction in German tax return
All tax deductions (in German income tax declaration)

Read more

Summer surprise. Real estate declaration in Germany

by

Did you think that the annual entertainment with the German income declaration is more than enough for you? By the way, you can find by me how to fill it out.
This year the state decided that the fun should be extended. If you own any real estate, from July to October you must file a Real estate declaration about it.

Read futher how to fill out Grundsteuererklärung – real estate declaration in Germany

Read more

Sale of used items (Privatverkauf). Private warranty

by

Once I met in an ad for the sale of used items a postscript about private warranty in large letters and with exclamation marks: “In accordance with EU law, every private seller must write that returns and replacements are not made and nothing is guaranteed.” Since I have not met with such a duty, I decided to investigate this issue.

It can be also interesting:
Sommer surprise. Real estate declaration in Germany
Credit cards in Germany
What is allowed to do if you are sick without to be fired
Christmas cookies in Germany
DIY lanterns for Saint Martin feast. 5. Silhouettes

Read more

What is new in Germany 2022

by

Let’s see what awaits us in the new 2022.

There are changes in social, pension and tax calculations that do not depend on the will of the average person – the tax scale changes slightly, the tax-free base increases, the pension scale is moving, and so on, so I will not consider them.

First, about what did not fall into the category. On May 15, a selective census of the population will take place – it was postponed due to pandemic.

Read more

How system kills blogging

by

On my sites you will see a nasty full page ad that requires you to agree to cookies. I know it got you. It got me too. But I have no other choice as the European data protection law is written in such a way that it requires you to actively, not passively, consent to cookies. That is, you must press the button yourself. In doing so, it requires:

– so that absolutely all cookies are registered. And this is statistics, newsletters, services from WordPress like contact forms, advertising statistics and even fonts, etc. etc.

– so that you can refuse both all together, and from each separately

– so you can change your mind

– so that all these services, except for those that completely destroy the site, are disabled until you agree.

Read more

Joint building ventury (Baugemeinschaft)

by

The joint building ventury Baugemeinschaft is a popular form of organizing the construction of apartment buildings in Germany.

Summer surprise. Real estate declaration in Germany
Germany apartments search. Decoding ads
Fighting condensation and mold in Germany
How to sort waste in Germany – what waste is going where
Renovation cost in Germany. Who pays

Read more

State health insurance in Germany what is deductible – from A to L

by

95 percent of state health insurance services in Germany are defined by law, so all Krankenkassen are the same. These will be all services related to deteriorating health – visits to doctors, necessary surgeries and examinations.

There is no complete list of paid services.

Read more

What is covered by state health insurance in Germany. M-Y

by

We continue the list of medical services that will (or will not) be paid for by state health insurance in Germany – Krankenkasse (KK).

Part 1. GKV. How payments are formed
Part 2. GKV. Everything that I (not) will be paid from – A-L
Pregnancy in Germany. Part 3. Mutterpass and Hebamme
Pregnancy in Germany. Part 4. Giving birth, anestesia, stimulation
Asperger’s syndrome without outdated clichés. 1

Read more

Insurance travel abroad in Germany

by

For trips abroad, Haftpflichtversicherung (liability insurance) and Krankenversicherung are the most relevant, as well as travel cancellation and travel interruption insurance. Those who rent a car on vacation are strongly advised to have the so-called Mallorca-Police liability insurance for rented cars. In addition, they offer other options: baggage insurance, accident insurance, which is more likely not needed.

Read more

New rules for cancellation of contracts

by

Anti-consumer rules for canceling contracts have spoiled everyone’s nerves at least once in their lives. As soon as you accidentally light up your phone somewhere, aggressive advertisers of electric companies and insurance begin to call you.

Now I have learned not to pick up the phone if the Hamburg code is displayed, and if I do, I ask to call back later and immediately add the number to the black list.

Read more

State health insurance in Germany (GKV). How payments are formed

by

Actually, at first I wanted to write only basic information about what insurance there are, but I found a lot of information that can be useful to everyone. Therefore, there will be a series of posts, and we will start with state health insurance in Germany – what it is and what it pays for. Let’s make a list similar to the list “All I can return” (from taxes) – alphabetically.

There are two types of health insurance in Germany: state (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung, GKV) and private (private Krankenversicherung, PKV). In any case, you must have one of them.

Read more

Lebensversicherung (life insurance)

by

Lebensversicherung is not a necessary insurance, but in some cases it makes a lot of sense. According to statistics in 2017, 15 percent of the deaths were under 65 years old.

This insurance is available in two versions: without saving money (Risikolebensversicherung) and with saving money (Kapitallebensversicherung).

Read more

German income tax declaration. Anlage N-Aus

by
German tax return

For a long time I was asked to write about Anlage N-Aus, but I always advised to go to the tax consultants for the first time (in LohnsteuerHilfe Verein), since it is not simply.

This Anlage is really complex. But it is possible, that you don’t need this Anlage at all.

If you are first year in Germany or leave it this year, then you need Anlage WA-Est. it has existed since 2017.

Read about Anlage WA-Est here.

Read more

Germany apartments search. Decoding ads

by

Apartments search in Germany has some special feature: you must know special language of renting ads, you should have a good friends and for you it will be much simplier, if you have no family.

The best way to find a good apartment in Germany is to ask friends. Since most apartments with a good price-quality ratio do not reach the Internet.

But if there are no acquaintances, then you have to work hard.

Read more

Leben in Deutschland test. 10. Local authorities

by

The last post about Leben in Deutschland test – this time local authorities, local rules and questions about Bundesland.

All posts about #Leben in Deutschland test
Part 1, Part 2, Part 3-1, Part 3-2, Part 4, Part 5-1, Part 5-2
Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10
About Deutschtest für Zuwanderer

Read more

German tax return. Anlage WA-Est

by

In this part – how to fill out Anlage Wa-Est.

Anlage Wa-Est is filled out by those

  • who left Germany in the declared year,
  • who moved in Germany in the declared year
  • but also those who do not have a permanent place of residence in Germany, but would like to be treated as unrestricted taxable (that is, as living in Germany).

This application looks like a simplified tax return.

how to fill out Anlage Wa-est

Read more

German income tax declaration. Anlage Vorsorgeaufwand

by
Steuer

Anlage Vorsorgeaufwand is an application of German income tax declaration, where insurances are indicated.

All I can return from tax: A-D, E-H, I-N, P-W, Außergewöhnliche Belastungen
Introduction in thema “German tax return” – here
Mantelbogen
Anlage N Part 1, Part 2, Anlage N-Aus, Anlage Wa-Est, Homeoffice
Anlage Kind
Anlage Sonderausgaben
Anlage Haushaltnahe Diensleistungen 35a

Read more

Leben in Deutschland test. 9. Traditional holidays. Religion

by

There are a little questions about traditions and religion in Germany in the Leben in Deutschland test.

All posts about #Leben in Deutschland test
Part 1, Part 2, Part 3-1, Part 3-2, Part 4, Part 5-1, Part 5-2
Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10
About Deutschtest für Zuwanderer
Stumbling blocks

Read more

German tax return Elster. Anlage Sonderausgaben

by
Steuer

“Special expenses” (Sonderausgaben) used to be in the Mantelbogen of the German tax declaration. Now they have been taken out in a separate application Anlage Sonderausgaben. Lines are in a different order now.
Application content: chirch tax, donations, expenses for first education, maintenance of other persons.

Read more

Leben in Deutschland test. 8. Family, education

by

There are a few more simple topics in Leben in Deutschland test (Einbürgerungstest), such as family and education.

All posts about #Leben in Deuschland test
Part 1, Part 2, Part 3-1, Part 3-2, Part 4, Part 5-1, Part 5-2
Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10
About Deutschtest für Zuwanderer

Read more

Home office tax deduction in german tax return

by

Wolf, goats and cabbage – an old task in a new way. How do you combine a fully online high school kid, a part-time elementary school child, a dad in a home office who needs complete silence and not run around rooms, and an 11-month-old baby running around – in three rooms?

Fortunately, the hard work for solution of this difficult logistics challenge will be rewarded. The government allowed to write off days in bedlam home office at 5 euros per day.

More details about how to deduct home office expenses from taxes.

Read more

Elster online. 6. Household works deduction – Anlage Haushaltsnahe Aufwendungen (35a)

by
Steuer

The landlord or management company have finally bothered to send you an annual calculation? So you can go to the household works deduction in german tax return.

Household works have now a separate Anlage Haushaltsnahe Aufwendungen (35a). It moved here in 2020 from the main part (formerly lines 71-78 Hauptvordruck).

Read more

Leben in Deutschland test. 7. Germany and Europe. Migrants

by

Leben in Deutschland test (Orientierungstest, Einburgerungstest) has several questions about the relationship between Germany and other countries (mostly Europe). There are also a few questions about migrants, but more from a historical perspective.

Note: This post does not include the changes that will occur with the UK’s exit from the EU.

All posts about #Leben in Deutschland test
Part 1, Part 2, Part 3-1, Part 3-2, Part 4, Part 5-1, Part 5-2
Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10
About Deutschtest für Zuwanderer

Read more

Leben in Deutschland test. 6. Judicial branch

by

The topic “court (Judikative)” is small in the Leben in Deutschland test. All the information focuses on two questions: what courts are there and who are the Schöffen.

All posts about #Leben in Deutschland test
Part 1, Part 2, Part 3-1, Part 3-2, Part 4, Part 5-1, Part 5-2
Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10
About Deutschtest für Zuwanderer

Read more

Tax return in Germany. All income tax deduction P-W

by

Next part of income tax deduction in German tax return, among them the most important – deduction of expenses for work.

Not forget: außergewöhnliche Belastungen (Exceptional costs) are deducted, if they over individual limit.

How to calculate the limit of außergewöhnliche Belastungen read here
Other parts: A-D, E-H, I-N

Read more

German tax refund – What I can claim to return. I-N

by

Futher with all German tax deductible expenses. Not forget: außergewöhnliche Belastungen (Exceptional costs) are deducted, if they over individual limit.

How to calculate the limit of außergewöhnliche Belastungen read here
Other parts: A-D, E-H, P-W
How to fill German income tax declaration – #steuererklaerung

Read more

German tax return. Elster online. Anlage Kind

by
Anlage Kind

We go to the Anlage Kind. Anlage Kind – application for expenses for children in German tax return: Kindergarten, education (Ausbildung), Kindergeld and Kinderbonus.

Anlage opens if you mark it in Anlagenauswahl page.

All I can return from tax: A-D, E-H, I-N, P-W, Außergewöhnliche Belastungen
Introduction in thema “German tax return” – here
Mantelbogen
Anlage N Part 1, Part 2, Anlage N-Aus, Anlage Wa-Est, Homeoffice
Anlage Vorsorgeaufwand
Anlage Sonderausgaben
Anlage Haushaltnahe Diensleistungen 35a

Read more

All tax deductions (in German income tax declaration). E-H

by

In this post all tax deductions from E to H – from Education to Houskeeping Help.

Not forget: außergewöhnliche Belastungen (Exceptional costs) are deducted, if they over individual limit.

How to calculate the limit of außergewöhnliche Belastungen read here.
Other parts – A-D, I-N, P-W,
Other posts about german tax return – #steuererklaerung

Read more

All income tax deduction (in German tax return). A-D

by

From A as Additional education to D as Dysgraphia, dyslexia – all income tax deduction in German tax return.

If I write “is as außergewöhnliche Belastungen (Exceptional costs) deducted”, it means that this expenses are deducted only if they over individual limit.

How to calculate the limit of außergewöhnliche Belastungen read here
Other parts: E-H, I-N, P-W

Read more

All deductible expenses in German tax return. 1. Außergewöhnliche Belastungen

by

When I ask those who already understand something in German and have lived in Germany for more than one year why they prefer to pay a tax consultant instead of filling out a tax return on their own, I am told that
1. there are no previous tax return as a sample and
2. they never know what deductible expenses there are – what if they miss out on some possible returns?

As answer on the second point, I decided to collect all possible deductible expenses in Germany.

But there is one thing, that you must know before we begin with the list: many of these expenses can be deducted only if they cross a certain border, and this border is rather big. This border is named Außergewöhliche Belastungen.

Read more

Tax return in Germany. Elster online. Anlage N. Working expenses

by

Second part of Anlage N of tax return in Germany is working expenses (Werbungskosten) – work clothers, books, home office, tax consultant, search for new work, etc.

In the first part we write off way to the work.

Beginning with Anlage N and costs of way to work

Read more

Elster online. German income tax declaration Anlage N. Part 1

by

German income tax declaration Anlage N is for employees. In the first half we fill out datas from employer’s calculation list. In the second – our expenses, that we made for work.

Before we get to Anlage N, let’s see how we can make our life easier.

Making life easier is called a pre-filled declaration. Using the code Abrufcode, which is sent in the letter along with the code for connecting to the program, you can request your annual calculation from the employer (Lohnsteuerbescheid) and electronic reports for other activities, if you have them.

Read more

Orientierungstest. 4. Economy and social protection

by

This field of questions in Leben in Deutschland test (Orientierungstest, Einbürgerungstest) covers mainly some workers’ rights and social insurance.

All posts about #Leben in Deutschland test
Part 1, Part 2, Part 3-1, Part 3-2, Part 4, Part 5-1, Part 5-2
Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10
About Deutschtest für Zuwanderer

Read more

German income tax declaration. Elster online. Introduction

by

German income tax declaration is named Steuererklärung. From tax return for 2019 the main part (Mantelbogen) of the German income tax declaration has changed significantly. And this was the last year when it was possible to fill in the tax return in the PC version of the official Elster tax program. Now you must use Elter Online.

In this thread, I will begin to consider filling out the declaration in the online version of Elster.

Read more

Leben in Deutschland test. 3-2. Parties in Germany, communal level

by

For Leben in Deutschland test you must know about three power in Germany: legislative, executive and judikative. There is a schema in the part 3-1. This part 3-2 is about communal level, parties and Leben in Deutschland test questions to this topic.

All posts about #orientierungstest
Part 1, Part 2, Part 3-1, Part 3-2, Part 4, Part 5-1, Part 5-2
Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10
About Deutschtest für Zuwanderer

Read more

Leben in Deutschland test. 3. Political system and elections

by

We continue to study basic knowledge of German politics and laws for Leben in Deutschland test. This part covers a lot of information about the structure of power and elections, so I divided it into 2 entries.

All posts about #Leben in Deutschland test
Part 1, Part 2, Part 3-1, Part 3-2, Part 4, Part 5-1, Part 5-2
Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10
About Deutschtest für Zuwanderer

Read more

Test Leben in Deutschland. 2. State structure, state symbols

by

We continue to deal with test Leben in Deutschland questions and answers. In this part about state structure and state symbols – federal states, state power, flag, coat of arms and anthem.

All posts about #test Leben in Deutschland
Part 1, Part 2, Part 3-1, Part 3-2, Part 4, Part 5-1, Part 5-2
Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10
About Deutschtest für Zuwanderer

Read more

Test Leben in Deutschland (Orientierungstest) in English. 1. Constitution

by

Test Leben in Deutschland is one of the two basic tests for foreigners in Germany. Some time ago in Germany it was decided that people wishing to live in the country should have a certain minimum knowledge of the history and social structure of the country. The basis was the research that some of the people who want to obtain citizenship (and have received it) are not familiar with the Constitution (Grundgesetz) and / or do not accept it in the part that contradicts their Religion. This minimum knowledge was expressed in special courses (Orientierungskurs), which were added to the integration courses.

All posts about #orientierungstest
Part 1, Part 2, Part 3-1, Part 3-2, Part 4, Part 5-1, Part 5-2
Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10
About Deutschtest für Zuwanderer

Read more

Renovation cost in Germany. Who pays

by

Who pays renovation cost in Germany? A rumor somehow reached me that tenants are no longer obliged to make repairs. What surprised me was that it would be too simple. The clause on apartment renovation at the entrance and / or exit and regular repairs during the lease term is included in all standard lease agreements.

Read more

Benefits for families in Germany

by

In this post about benefits for families in Germany: Kindergeld, Kinderzuschlag, Elterngeld, Landeserziehungsgeld, Familiengeld, Baukindergeld. The latter is practically irrelevant. However, according to the plans of the government, and all the rest may not be relevant.

Read more

Kündigungsfrist, or How not to postpone the moment of a happy parting

by

Competition and crisis are severe and make everyone get out as best they can and cut the sheep, that is, you and me.

When concluding any contract, always look under what conditions you can refuse it. Even if we are talking about some kind of promotion, like “ProbeBahnCard 25” or AmazonPrime for month, remember – free cheese often lies in a mousetrap. After all, they want to get you for a long time, and preferably forever. Do you want this?

Kündigungsfrist is what interests us in the contract. This is the period for which you must warn your landlord / bank / whoever provides you services that you no longer need it. This applies to various areas. Examples I came across:

Read more

Tax return in Germany. Elster online. Mantelbogen, or Hauptvordruck

by

So, we registered in Elster online, waited for the code from the Finanzamt (FA), received a digital certificate and saved it in a convenient place. We chose a full tax liability declaration (Einkommensteuererklärung unbeschränkte Steuerpflicht ESt 1a, i.e. for those who live in Germany) and go to main part of the declaration – Mantelbogen.

Read more Who should file a tax return in Germany
All I can return from tax: A-D, E-H, I-N, P-W, Außergewöhnliche Belastungen
Introduction in thema “German tax return” – here
Anlage N Part 1, Part 2, Anlage N-Aus, Anlage Wa-Est, Homeoffice
Anlage Kind
Anlage Vorsorgeaufwand
Anlage Sonderausgaben
Anlage Haushaltnahe Diensleistungen 35a
Tax declaration Germany. Anlage EÜR

Read more