Not everyone is required to file a tax return. The second piece of good news is that those who are responsible can take more time to meet the tax authorities. Namely until October 31, 2022.

Quite surprisingly, some taxpayers find that they hardly have any time left for the rendezvous with the tax office. But there’s good news for anyone who wants to push the chore even further back. The new deadline for filing the 2021 tax return is October 31, 2022.

Normally, taxpayers would have to submit their tax returns by July 31, 2022 at the latest. Due to the corona pandemic, the deadline has been postponed by three months.

No, a longer period applies if a tax consultant or an income tax assistance association helps. Then the deadline is August 31, 2023.

Yes, by extending the deadline. However, contrary to the past, this must be well justified – by telephone, in writing or directly via Elster. The request for an extension should include a realistic date by which the declaration will be available, for example one month later. If possible, the application should be submitted before the deadline, i.e. before November 30th.

Reasons for this can be, for example, illness, missing tax documents, relocation or work overload.

Yes. If you are running late, you should only hand in the most important documents and forms (mantle sheet, respective form on income, if applicable attachment child) to the tax office. After receipt of the tax assessment, missing evidence and forms can be submitted within the one-month objection period.

Those in a hurry can download the forms from the Ministry of Finance at formulare-bfinv.de and fill them out either on the PC or as a printout. A signed printout of the declaration can then – depending on the remaining time – be submitted by post or in person to the tax office.

Now only helps faxes. According to a judgment by the Federal Fiscal Court, this method of delivery is also possible (Ref.: VI R 82/13). However, all pages must be transmitted by midnight – otherwise the office can consider the tax return to be late.

For each started month that the tax return is late, 0.25 percent of the assessed tax is due as a late fee. At least 25 euros are due. In this way, the surcharge can add up to 25,000 euros. The penalty payment is automatically assessed if the declaration is not submitted within 14 months of the end of the respective tax year. Notorious latecomers face additional penalties and interest.

Anyone who submits their tax return voluntarily must send it to the tax office for 2018 by December 31, 2022 at the latest.

Persons who have no income or whose income only results from an employment relationship without having any other income.

(This article was first published on Thursday, June 02, 2022.)