Are you packing your bags and moving to a new city for your dream job? Your employer is moving you to a new location? If you are moving for professional reasons, you can claim certain moving expenses. Here we explain what these are and how you can enter them in the Taxfix app. In the video below, we show you the process step-by-step.
Content:
Moving for private reasons or for your studies
Which costs can I deduct when moving for a job?
Moving costs lump sum - Umzugskostenpauschale
Which costs can't be claimed for tax purposes?
How do I enter work-related moving costs in the Taxfix app? (Video)
When is a move work-related?
You can claim costs for a job-related move as income-related expenses.
A move is considered work-related if one of the following conditions is met:
You can reduce your daily travel time by at least one hour (outward and return journey) by moving to a new home
You are starting your very first job
You are moving due to a transfer or relocation of the place of work by your employer
Your move is related to a double household for work reasons
You are moving into or out of a company flat as a result of your work
In order to prove to the tax office that it is a work-related move, the new employment contract or a certificate from the company, for example, is suitable.
Be aware that if your employer pays the moving costs, you cannot deduct them from your taxes. If your employer pays part of the costs, you must reduce your costs accordingly in your tax return. You can only deduct what you have paid yourself.
Moving for private reasons or for your studies
If the above-mentioned criteria don't apply, your move is not job-related. However, you can also deduct certain costs if you move for private reasons. You can find more information on this here.
If you change your place of residence for your studies, your moving costs might be considered as special expenses or even income-related expenses based on the type of education and degree pursued. We explain the details here.
Which costs can I deduct when moving for a job?
A distinction is made between general and other moving costs. In the case of a job-related move, you can claim both for tax purposes.
General costs include, among other things:
Necessary travel expenses to prepare for the move
The move itself (packing and transport)
Double rent payments for up to six months
Estate agent and viewing costs (e.g. travel to view flats)
Repairs for transport damage
Tutoring costs for your children, e.g. if you move to another federal state and therefore need tutoring
General expenses are fully deductible, but you will need all receipts and vouchers.
Other moving costs include expenses for:
Advertisements to find accommodation
Re-registration fees
Catering for your removal helpers
Renovation / cosmetic repairs in the old flat
Fitting lamps
Installation of kitchen and other appliances
You can deduct these other costs either in their actual amount or as a lump sum for moving costs (Umzugskostenpauschale). If you decide to deduct the actual costs, you will need receipts and vouchers.
Moving costs lump sum - Umzugskostenpauschale
With the moving costs lump sum, itemised receipts are not necessary. The amount of the lump sum depends on the date of your move and the number of people in the household:
Date of move | Married or single parent | Single | Per additional person belonging to the household |
from February 1, 2017 | 1,528 euros | 764 euros | 337 euros |
from March 1, 2018 | 1,573 euros | 787 euros | 347 euros |
from April 1, 2019 | 1,622 euros | 811 euros | 357 euros |
from March 1, 2020 | 1,639 euros | 820 euros | 361 euros |
For moves in June 2020 or later, the following applies:
Date of move
| Entitled person who moves for professional reasons | Each additional person (spouse, partner, children) | Entitled person who moves for work reasons and did not previously have his or her own flat |
from 1. June 2020 | 860 euros | 573 euros | 172 euros |
from 1. April 2021 | 870 euros | 580 euros | 174 euros |
from 1. April 2022 | 886 euros | 590 euros | 177 euros |
The moving costs lump sum increases by 50% if you move a second time within 5 years for work-related reasons and you had your own household before and after the moves (i.e. not when you move out of your parents' house).
Taxfix makes it easy for you: In our app, you can specify whether you want to use the lump sum. The lump sum that applies to you is then automatically determined by the app. In the video below, we explain how to claim the lump sum step-by-step.
Which costs can't be claimed for tax purposes?
The following expenses are not deductible:
Purchase of new furniture
Furniture storage costs
Renovation costs for the new flat
Costs related to home ownership: e.g. losses and brokerage costs resulting from the sale of a home
The same applies to estate agent costs resulting from the purchase of a flat or house
How do I enter work-related moving costs in the Taxfix app?
You can enter work-related moving expenses in our app in the "Home" category. Our app lists all relevant expenses here. You will also be asked separately whether you would like to claim the lump sum for other moving costs. Based on the information you provide, the corresponding amount of the lump sum will be determined and automatically taken into account in the app.
