How can I correctly specify my commuter allowance in the tax return?
November 24, 2023 | 40,00 EUR | answered by Wolfgang Stricker
Dear tax advisor,
My name is Fanni Peters and I work as an employee in a company located about 50 kilometers from my place of residence. Due to this distance, I rely on the commuter allowance to be able to claim my travel expenses for tax purposes. So far, I have always done my tax return myself, but I am unsure if I have correctly stated the commuter allowance.
In my current situation, I drive to work by car every day and had a total of 200 working days last year. I claimed a distance allowance of 0.30 euros per kilometer. However, I have heard that there are certain regulations that I need to follow in order to correctly state the commuter allowance.
My concern is that I may have made mistakes in stating the commuter allowance and may have missed out on tax benefits. I would like to know how I can correctly state the commuter allowance in my tax return to ensure that I consider all possible travel expenses for tax purposes.
Could you please explain to me what information I need for the correct statement of the commuter allowance and how I can enter this correctly in my tax return? Are there any other ways to claim my travel expenses for tax purposes that I have not considered so far?
Thank you in advance for your help and advice.
Sincerely,
Fanni Peters
Dear Mrs. Peters,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding the correct deduction of commuter allowance in your tax return. As a tax advisor, I would like to help you and provide you with all relevant information to ensure that you can claim all possible travel expenses for tax purposes.
First of all, it is important to know that the commuter allowance applies to employees who commute to work using their own vehicle. You can claim a amount of 0.30 euros per kilometer between your home and your workplace as deductible expenses. In your case, with a distance of 50 kilometers and 200 working days per year, your travel expenses would amount to a total of 3,000 euros (50 km x 0.30 euros x 200 days).
To correctly report the commuter allowance in your tax return, you will need the following information:
- The exact distance between your home and your workplace
- The number of working days per year
- The amount of the commuter allowance per kilometer (currently 0.30 euros)
You need to enter this information in the "Anlage N" of your tax return. There you will find a field where you can enter the commuter allowance. Please make sure to provide all information correctly in order not to miss out on any tax benefits.
In addition to the commuter allowance, there are other ways to claim your travel expenses for tax purposes. These include costs for trips to clients or business partners, training courses, business trips, or moving expenses related to a job-related change of residence. Therefore, it is worth reporting all relevant travel expenses in your tax return to take advantage of possible tax benefits.
I hope that this information has been helpful to you. If you have any further questions or need assistance with your tax return, please feel free to contact me.
Best regards,
Wolfgang Stricker, Tax Advisor
