Children in the tax return: when to declare them and which costs you can deduct

Parents have many expenses for their children—from clothing and childcare to school and healthcare costs. Some of these expenses can be claimed for tax purposes as long as you are entitled to child benefits (Kindergeld). Here, you'll learn which costs are deductible and how to enter them in the Taxfix app.

🚀 Your Guide 

• Child Benefits Entitlement & Child Allowance
• Until When Can Child-Related Expenses Be Claimed?
• These Costs Can Be Claimed
  • Childcare Costs
  • Children with Disabilities
  • School Fees
  • Insurance & Medical Expenses
  • Relief for Single Parents
  • Training Allowance
  • Collecting & Keeping Receipts
• How to Enter Child-Related Costs in the Taxfix App
• Additional Information

Child Benefits Entitlement & Child Allowance

In principle, both parents are equally entitled to child benefits, even if they are usually paid to only one parent. The child must still be included in both parents' tax returns.

📌 Child Allowance & Tax Benefit Check

• The child allowance is €3,336 per parent (€6,672 for jointly assessed couples) for the 2025 tax year and is listed on your income tax certificate.
• The allowance is typically 0.5 per parent.
• The tax office automatically determines whether the child allowance or child benefits are more beneficial for you.

Until When Can Child-Related Expenses Be Claimed?

You can claim certain expenses as long as you are entitled to child benefits. After that, your child is considered a dependent adult for tax purposes.

💡 Note: If child benefits eligibility expires, support payments may still be deductible under certain conditions as extraordinary burdens—however, this option is not available in the Taxfix app.

These Costs Can Be Claimed

Childcare Costs

From 2025, 50% of childcare costs (up to €4,800 per child) can be deducted as special expenses, provided that:
✅ Your child lives in your household.
✅ You are entitled to child benefits.
✅ The child is under 14 years old.

🟢 Deductible expenses:

• Daycare, childminder, after-school care
• Childcare in your home (e.g., by a housekeeper or au pair)

🔴 Not deductible:

• Tutoring, sports clubs, music lessons
• Meal costs

📌 Childcare by relatives

• Grandparents or other relatives can provide childcare, but:
  • They must not live in the same household.
  • A written contract and proof of payment are required.

Children with Disabilities

• If a disability existed before the age of 25, the age limit of 14 years for childcare costs does not apply.
• The child must be unable to support themselves financially.

School Fees

• 30% of school fees (up to €5,000 per year) can be deducted.

🟢 Requirement: The school must lead to a recognized qualification.
🔴 Not deductible: Boarding & meal costs.

Insurance & Medical Expenses

• Health & long-term care insurance contributions for your child are deductible as special expenses.
• Medical expenses (e.g., dentist visits, glasses) can be deducted as extraordinary burdens.

💡 Where in the app? Enter these expenses in the "Health" section.

Relief for Single Parents

Single parents receive a special tax relief. More details can be found in our tax return guide for single parents.

Training Allowance

For children in school, university, or vocational training who no longer live at home, a training allowance applies.

📌 Key facts:

• The allowance is €1,464 per year.
• It is split between parents if they are separated.

💡 In the app: If you indicate that your child lived away for training, the allowance is automatically applied.

Collecting & Keeping Receipts

📌 Important notes:

• Keep invoices and proof of payment throughout the year.
• Payments must be made by bank transfer—cash payments are not recognized by the tax office.
• You don’t need to submit receipts with your tax return, but they must be available upon request.

How to Enter Child-Related Costs in the Taxfix App

📌 Adding children

• Under "About You", select that you have children to unlock the "Children" category.

📌 Entering costs

• Childcare, school fees & medical expenses can be entered directly in the app.
• The app automatically applies allowances and limits.

📌 Child benefits & child allowance

• The app automatically calculates the most tax-efficient option for you.

Additional Information

• You can only claim either child benefits or the child allowance—the tax office determines which is more beneficial for you.

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