What happens if I do not submit my income tax return on time?
July 10, 2024 | 40,00 EUR | answered by Tatiana Herrmann
Dear tax advisor,
My name is Helma Altmayer and I have an urgent question regarding my income tax return. Unfortunately, I have not been able to submit my tax return on time and I am wondering what will happen if I miss the deadline.
The current situation is that I am very busy with work and it has simply not been possible for me to attend to my tax matters in a timely manner. I am now worried that there may be consequences if I miss the deadline.
I hope you can assist me and explain to me what the consequences may be if I do not submit my income tax return on time. Are there possible penalties or fines that I could face? What can I do to resolve the situation and avoid any potential problems?
Thank you in advance for your help.
Sincerely,
Helma Altmayer
Dear Mrs. Altmayer,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding your income tax return. It is understandable that during stressful times it can be difficult to take care of such matters. I will now explain to you in detail the consequences that may arise if you do not meet the deadline for submitting your income tax return.
In Germany, it is legally required that the income tax return must be submitted to the tax office by July 31 of the following year. If you miss this deadline, the tax office can impose late payment interest. Currently, this is set at 0.5% per month of delay. Additionally, the tax office can impose a penalty to compel you to submit the tax return. The amount of the penalty can vary depending on the individual case.
Furthermore, if there are repeated delays, the tax office can impose a late filing penalty. This penalty usually ranges between 25 and 250 euros. In cases of gross negligence or intent, higher fines can also be imposed. Therefore, it is important to meet the deadline for submitting the tax return to avoid any possible consequences.
To clarify the situation and avoid any problems, I recommend that you contact the tax office as soon as possible. There, you can request an extension or seek advice on how to proceed. It is important to communicate transparently and demonstrate that you made an effort to fulfill your tax obligations.
If you have any further questions or need assistance, I am happy to help. I hope this information is helpful to you and wish you success in resolving your tax matters.
Sincerely,
Tatiana Herrmann
