When is the deadline for the 2025 German tax return?

Without a tax advisor, the deadline is July 31, 2027. With a tax advisor (Steuerberater), it's extended to the end of February 2028.

Do I have to file a tax return as an employee in Germany?

Not always. It's mandatory if you have tax class III/V, side income over €410, or received wage replacement benefits like Kurzarbeitergeld. But voluntary filing almost always pays off — the average refund is over €1,000.

Can I request an extension?

Yes, informally in writing to your Finanzamt. Explain why you need more time (e.g., missing documents). However, an extension is not guaranteed.

German Tax Return Deadlines 2026: All Dates

Q: What happens if I miss the filing deadline?

After the 15th month following the tax year, the Finanzamt automatically charges a late filing penalty: at least €25 per month of delay.

German Tax Deadlines 2026: Everything You Need to Know

Missing a tax deadline in Germany can get expensive — literally. Here’s a clear overview of every important tax date for 2026 so you stay on track.

In short: The filing deadline for the 2025 Steuererklärung (tax return) without a tax advisor is July 31, 2027. Quarterly advance payments are due on March 10, June 10, September 10, and December 10.

Filing Deadlines for Your Steuererklärung

In Germany, you file your tax return in the year after the tax year. So in 2026, you’re primarily filing for tax year 2024.

Tax Year	Without Tax Advisor	With Tax Advisor
2024	July 31, 2026	April 30, 2027
2025	July 31, 2027	February 28, 2028

Good to Know

The deadline is for receipt by the Finanzamt — not the date you send it
If the deadline falls on a weekend or public holiday, it moves to the next business day
For electronic filing via ELSTER (Germany’s tax filing portal), the submission timestamp counts

2026 Tax Calendar

Income Tax Advance Payments (Vorauszahlungen)

If the Finanzamt has set advance payments for you (common for freelancers and self-employed), these are the due dates:

Quarter	Due Date
Q1	March 10, 2026
Q2	June 10, 2026
Q3	September 10, 2026
Q4	December 10, 2026

Other Important Dates

What	When
Filing deadline for 2024 (without advisor)	July 31, 2026
Employer wage tax certificate (Lohnsteuerbescheinigung)	By end of February 2026
Monthly VAT return (Umsatzsteuer-Voranmeldung)	10th of the following month
Quarterly VAT return	April 10, July 10, October 10, 2026; January 10, 2027

What Happens If You File Late?

Late Filing Penalty (Verspätungszuschlag)

After the 15th month following the tax year, the Finanzamt automatically charges a late filing penalty:

At least €25 per month of delay (rounded up)
Or 0.25% of the assessed tax per month (whichever is higher)

Example: You file your 2024 tax return in December 2026 instead of the July 31, 2026 deadline. That’s 5 months late = at least €125 in penalties.

Enforcement Penalty (Zwangsgeld)

If you completely ignore requests to file, the Finanzamt can threaten and impose fines of up to €25,000.

Tax Estimate (Schätzung)

If you don’t file at all, the Finanzamt estimates your taxes — and these estimates almost always work against you.

How to Request an Extension

You can request an extension informally:

In writing — by letter, fax, or through ELSTER
With a reason — e.g., missing documents, illness, relocation
Before the deadline — submit your request before the original deadline expires
No entitlement — the Finanzamt decides at its discretion

Tip: Hiring a Steuerberater (tax advisor) automatically extends your deadline — it’s the easiest way to get more time.

Who Must File a Tax Return?

Mandatory filing applies if you have:

Tax class combination III/V or IV/IV with factor
Side income over €410 per year
Wage replacement benefits over €410 (Kurzarbeitergeld, Elterngeld, Krankengeld)
Self-employment or rental income
Multiple employers at the same time

Voluntary filing almost always pays off: the average refund is over €1,000. You have 4 years to file voluntarily (you can still file your 2022 return until the end of 2026).

How Restio Helps

With Restio, you’ll never miss a deadline again:

Deadline alerts — the Financial Watchdog reminds you of all filing and payment dates
Track advance payments — keep an overview of completed and outstanding payments
Collect year-round — track receipts and expenses throughout the year instead of scrambling before the deadline

Try Restio free for 14 days — so the next deadline is stress-free.