How can I claim my travel expenses in my tax return?
October 15, 2023 | 35,00 EUR | answered by Wolfgang Stricker
Dear tax advisor,
I urgently need your help with my tax return. My name is Helma Kuhn, I am an employee in a company and last year I had to travel a lot for work. Unfortunately, I do not know how to claim my travel expenses in the tax return and I hope for your assistance.
Concerning the situation: Last year, I regularly used my own car to commute to my workplace and also for business trips. I incurred both fuel costs and mileage fees. Unfortunately, I do not have a detailed list of my trips and expenses, so I do not know how to report the travel expenses in the tax return.
I am worried that I may miss out on tax benefits because I am unsure of how to correctly report my travel expenses. Furthermore, I want to make sure I do not provide incorrect information and avoid any possible consequences.
Could you please explain to me how I can claim my travel expenses in the tax return? What receipts do I need to provide and how can I correctly calculate the mileage fees? Are there specific forms or attachments that I need to fill out? And what are the maximum limits for the deductibility of travel expenses?
I would be very grateful if you could help me with this matter so that I can complete my tax return accurately and efficiently. Thank you in advance for your assistance.
Sincerely,
Helma Kuhn
Dear Mrs. Kuhn,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding claiming your travel expenses in your tax return. I am happy to help you correctly report your travel expenses and show you possible tax benefits.
Travel expenses in the context of the tax return can generally be claimed as business expenses if they have been incurred for work-related purposes. This includes both journeys between your place of residence and your workplace, as well as business trips as part of your professional activities. For the calculation of deductible travel expenses, you generally have two options: the flat rate per kilometer or the actual costs.
With the flat rate per kilometer, the current amount is 0.30 euros per kilometer driven. To calculate the actual costs, you must be able to provide evidence of the actual expenses incurred such as fuel costs, repairs, insurance, etc. It is important that you collect receipts for your journeys and expenses in order to present them in your tax return.
To report your travel expenses in the tax return, you will need the "Anlage N" form for business expenses. There, you can enter the travel expenses under the category "commute to work" or "business trips." If you wish to report the actual costs, you must attach a detailed breakdown of your expenses. Please also note possible limits for the deductibility of travel expenses, which may vary depending on the type of journey.
It is important that you accurately and comprehensibly report your travel expenses in the tax return to avoid any consequences due to incorrect information. If you are unsure or have further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. I am happy to assist you and support you in completing your tax return correctly and efficiently.
I hope that my explanations are helpful to you and support you in claiming your travel expenses. Thank you for your trust and your inquiry.
Sincerely,
Wolfgang Stricker
