Work Expenses Calculator 2026
The work expenses calculator 2026 shows if your German tax return is worth filing. Every employee gets a €1,230 lump sum automatically — but with commuter allowance, home office deduction, work equipment, and training costs, many people exceed it significantly. Calculate all your Werbungskosten at a glance.
🚗 Commute
🏠 Home Office
💼 Other Work Expenses
What are Werbungskosten?
Werbungskosten (work-related expenses) are all costs you incur to earn your income. Every employee in Germany automatically gets a lump sum of €1,230. If your actual expenses exceed this, you save additional taxes.
Legal basis: § 9 EStG and § 9a EStG
When Is It Worth It?
Example: 30 km commute + 2 home office days/week + €400 work equipment ≈ €2,500 in work expenses — that's €1,270 above the lump sum, saving you ~€380 in taxes.
Most employees don't realize they're already above the lump sum.
Individual Calculators
- Commuter Allowance Calculator
- Home Office Calculator
- Depreciation Calculator — for expensive work equipment
📖 Related Article
50 things you can deduct as an employee in Germany — the complete Werbungskosten list.
Read more →
How Restio helps
You just estimated your work expenses — but that's just a snapshot. Restio tracks ALL your expenses year-round and finds deductions you forgot about.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as Werbungskosten? ▼
Everything you spend for your job: commute costs, home office, work equipment (laptop, desk), training, professional literature, work clothing, job application costs, bank account fees, and more.
Do I get the €1,230 automatically? ▼
Yes! The employee lump sum (Arbeitnehmer-Pauschbetrag) of €1,230 is automatically deducted from your taxable income — no proof needed. You only need receipts if your actual expenses exceed €1,230.
How much tax do I actually save? ▼
Your savings depend on your marginal tax rate. At €40,000 gross salary, the marginal rate is about 30-35%. Every euro above the lump sum saves you about 30 cents in taxes.
Can I claim home office AND commuter allowance? ▼
Yes, but not for the same day. Home office days get €6 each, office days get the commuter allowance. This calculator handles the split automatically.
Can I claim work equipment as a flat rate? ▼
There's no official flat rate for work equipment, but the tax office often accepts small amounts (e.g., €110) without proof. For larger amounts, keep your receipts.
Find hidden deductions with Restio — try free