Got a Letter from the Finanzamt? Here's What to Do

Got a Letter from the Finanzamt? Don’t Panic

A letter from the Finanzamt (German tax office) just arrived. Your heart rate goes up. Sound familiar? Here’s the good news: most letters from the Finanzamt are routine. Once you know what they mean, they lose their power to frighten.

In short: Most Finanzamt letters are tax assessments, advance payment notices, or information letters. Always check the deadline (usually 1 month) and respond on time.

The Most Common Letters from the Finanzamt

1. Steuerbescheid (Tax Assessment)

The most important letter. The Finanzamt tells you how much tax you owe — or how much you’ll get back as a refund.

What to do:

• Check the numbers carefully — do income and expenses match your filing?
• Compare with your Steuererklärung (tax return)
• If there are errors: file an objection (Einspruch) within 1 month (from delivery date + 3 days for postal delivery)

2. Vorauszahlungsbescheid (Advance Payment Notice)

The Finanzamt sets quarterly advance tax payments based on your last tax assessment.

What to do:

• Check if the amount is realistic
• If payments are too high: apply for a reduction (Antrag auf Herabsetzung)
• Payment dates: March 10, June 10, September 10, December 10

3. Request to File Your Tax Return

You haven’t filed your Steuererklärung on time. The Finanzamt is reminding you — sometimes with a threat of late filing penalties.

What to do:

• Act immediately — file your tax return as soon as possible
• After the 15th month following the tax year, automatic late filing penalties (Verspätungszuschlag) apply: at least €25 per month

4. Request for Documents (Beleganforderung)

The Finanzamt asks for additional information or receipts related to your tax return.

What to do:

• Respond within the stated deadline (usually 2–4 weeks)
• Send copies of receipts, keep originals
• Answer factually and completely

5. Information Letter

General notifications — new tax number, changed bank details, notes about law changes.

What to do:

• Take note and file it away
• No deadline, no response needed

Key Deadlines at a Glance

Letter Type	Deadline	What Happens If You Miss It
Steuerbescheid	1 month for objection	Assessment becomes final
Advance payment notice	Payment by due date	Late payment surcharge (1% per month)
Request to file	As stated (usually 4 weeks)	Tax estimate, late filing penalty
Document request	As stated (2–4 weeks)	Estimate of affected items

How to File an Objection (Einspruch)

1. Check the deadline — 1 month from delivery (delivery date + 3 days for postal transit)
2. Submit in writing — by letter, fax, or through ELSTER (Germany’s electronic tax filing portal)
3. Justification — recommended but can be submitted later
4. Include your tax number (Steuernummer) — found at the top of the assessment

Important: An objection does not suspend payment. If you owe money, it’s still due. However, you can request a suspension of execution (Aussetzung der Vollziehung).

How Restio Helps

With Restio, letters from the Finanzamt are no longer scary:

• Photograph the letter — Restio explains in seconds what it means and what you need to do
• Track deadlines — the Financial Watchdog reminds you of important tax deadlines
• AI Tax Expert — ask immediately whether you should file an objection
• Receipts ready — all your receipts are already stored in Restio when the Finanzamt asks

Try Restio free for 14 days and understand every Finanzamt letter instantly.

Further Reading

• ELSTER: File objections electronically
• § 347 AO — Objection (Einspruch)