When you apply for a new job, you have expenses for letters of application, travel to interviews or application photos. We explain which costs you can deduct and how to enter them in the Taxfix app. In our video tutorial, we show you how to enter them step by step.
Which application costs can be deducted?
You can claim application costs as income-related expenses for tax purposes. These include, for example, expenses for:
- Application folders
- Stationery
- Envelopes
- Stamps
- Application photos
- Application guide
- Application courses
- Certification of certificates
- Travel expenses for an interview
It does not matter whether the application was successful. The decisive factor is that the expenses incurred are related to the job search.
For reasons of simplification, a lump sum can be claimed for each application, by email or by post:
- Per application by email/online form: 2.50 euros
- Per application by post: 8.50 euros
The Taxfix app will automatically take these lump sums into account for you, if applicable.
Travel expenses for job interviews can also be claimed. This includes travel costs, additional expenses for meals, accommodation costs and incidental travel expenses. If you have incurred travel expenses, the Taxfix app asks for the items individually and automatically takes into account the applicable lump sum for travel costs and additional expenses for meals.
Keep receipts and proof of applications
Receipts for your expenses do not have to be sent with your tax return. You only need to be able to submit receipts in the event of queries from the tax office.
Of course, no receipts can be submitted for lump sums - in this case, a note on how the claimed costs were calculated is usually sufficient.
How to enter your application costs in the Taxfix app
Costs for job applications can be entered in our app in the "Work" category in the question "Did you do any of these things for work?". The app asks for all deductible costs and automatically takes into account applicable flat rates for cover letters and travel expenses. In the following video, we show you how to enter the information step by step: