Which documents do I need to prepare for the tax return?
February 17, 2024 | 40,00 EUR | answered by Anneliese Schaaf
Dear tax consultant,
My name is Tobias Stamm and I am currently facing the challenge of preparing my tax return for the past year. I have never done a tax return myself before and I am therefore a bit unsure about which documents I will need for this.
My current situation is as follows: I am an employee and received my salary continuously from my employer last year. Besides my main job, I have no other sources of income. I also do not have any exceptional expenses or special life situations that I would need to consider in the tax return.
My concerns are that I might forget important documents or not know exactly which receipts I need to submit. I want to make sure that I do everything correctly and avoid making mistakes in my tax return to prevent any potential issues with the tax office.
Therefore, my question to you is: Which documents do I need to specifically prepare for the tax return? Are there specific receipts or documents that I absolutely must submit? How can I ensure that my tax return is complete and accurate?
Thank you in advance for your help.
Best regards,
Tobias Stamm
Dear Mr. Stamm,
Thank you for your inquiry and for trusting in my expertise as a tax advisor. It is understandable that you may feel uncertain when it comes to preparing your first tax return. I will be happy to assist you in gathering all necessary documents and ensuring that your tax return is accurate and complete.
As an employee with only one main job and no special income or expenses, the necessary documents for your tax return are manageable. Below, I list the most important documents you will need for your tax return:
1. Income tax certificate: Your employer is required to provide you with an income tax certificate at the end of the year. This document contains important information about your salary, deducted taxes, and social security contributions.
2. Receipts for business expenses: These include, for example, commuting costs to work, work-related materials, or training costs. Even if you do not have significant business expenses, it may be worth it to declare small amounts to minimize your tax burden.
3. Documents for pension contributions: These include contributions to health, nursing care, retirement, and unemployment insurance. You can find these in your pay slip or contribution certificates from your insurances.
4. Other receipts: You may have other expenses that are tax deductible, such as donation receipts or receipts for household services.
To ensure that your tax return is complete and accurate, I recommend creating a checklist and systematically collecting all relevant documents. You are also welcome to schedule an appointment for my online consultation hours to go through your documents together and clarify any questions.
I hope that this information has been helpful to you and I am available to assist with any further questions.
Best regards,
Anneliese Schaaf
