Can I also declare my expenses in the tax return without receipts?
March 14, 2024 | 45,00 EUR | answered by Quentin Reuter
Dear tax advisor,
my name is Dirk Jensen and I am a self-employed entrepreneur. In the past, I have often declared my expenses in my tax return, but I have not always kept all receipts. Now I am wondering if I can still declare my expenses in the tax return without receipts.
I am worried that the tax office may not accept my statements without receipts, and that I may have to pay additional taxes as a result. I have made some major expenses for which I no longer have receipts. Is it even possible to declare these expenses in the tax return without receipts?
I would like to know if there are alternative ways to prove my expenses if I no longer have receipts. Are there specific documents or procedures that I can use to make my expenses credible? Or should I try to obtain the missing receipts later on?
Thank you in advance for your help and support.
Sincerely,
Dirk Jensen
Dear Dirk Jensen,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding declaring expenses in your tax return without receipts. It is understandable that you are concerned about whether the tax office will accept your claims without receipts. Indeed, it is important to keep receipts for all expenses that you wish to declare in your tax return. However, there are also ways to prove expenses without receipts.
In general, the better you can document your expenses, the fewer problems you will have with the tax office. If you no longer have receipts, there are still some alternative ways to make your expenses credible. For example, you can provide bank statements, invoices, contracts, receipts, or other written documents that prove your expenses. Witness statements or other credible evidence can also help prove your expenses.
However, it is important to note that the tax office may not accept all expenses without receipts. Especially for larger expenses, it is advisable to submit as many receipts as possible to support your claims. If you no longer have receipts, you should try to obtain the missing receipts retroactively. You could, for example, contact the respective providers and request a copy of the invoice or receipt.
In any case, I recommend collecting all existing documents and evidence and carefully reviewing them. If you are unsure whether certain expenses will be accepted, you can also consult an experienced tax advisor or tax consulting firm to receive professional support.
In conclusion, I would like to emphasize the importance of keeping all relevant documents and receipts for your tax return to avoid any problems with the tax office. I hope that my response has been helpful to you and I am available for any further questions.
Best regards,
Quentin Reuter
Tax Advisor
