The utility bill (also called service charge statement) includes some expenses that you can claim on your tax return. We’ll show you which costs you can easily deduct with Taxfix. In the video below, we explain step by step how to proceed.
- Only labor costs are deductible – material costs are not reimbursed.
- 20% of labor costs are recognized by the tax office.
- Missing statement? No problem! You can submit it later or include it in the next tax return.
🚀 Your Guide
- Which costs can you deduct?
- How much can you deduct?
- Haven’t received your utility bill yet?
- How to deduct your utility bill with Taxfix
Which Costs Can You Deduct?
Certain items from your utility bill or homeowners’ association statement (WEG statement) can be claimed for tax purposes. The deductible expenses mainly include labor costs for household-related services and craftsman services – material costs are excluded.
Look for the following deductible items in your utility bill:
-
Household-related services:
- Garden maintenance
- Cleaning
- Janitorial services
- Gutter cleaning
-
Craftsman services:
- Maintenance and replacement of meters
- Chimney sweep (excluding measurements)
- Maintenance of heating and water supply
- Roof and facade work
- Elevator maintenance
How Much Can You Deduct?
The tax office recognizes 20% of labor costs. Material costs are not reimbursed.
If labor and material costs are not separately listed on your utility bill, you can request a free certificate from your landlord under § 35a EStG.
💡 Here you can find a sample certificate (in german) listing recognized household-related services and craftsman services. It only includes deductible costs.
👉 In the Taxfix app, simply enter the total deductible labor costs. The 20% calculation is done automatically. Further down, we show you exactly how to enter the details.
Haven’t Received Your Utility Bill Yet?
If you have not yet received your utility bill for a specific tax year, there’s no need to worry. You can add it to your tax return as soon as you receive it. If the bill arrives in the following year, you can alternatively include it in that year’s tax return.
Additionally, you can report multiple utility bills in a single tax return.
How to Deduct Your Utility Bill with Taxfix
With Taxfix, you can easily deduct the craftsman costs and household-related services from your utility bill in the "Expenses" section. Always enter the annual amount.
Indicate in the app that you have received a utility bill or WEG statement. The rest is calculated automatically!
🚀 Fill out the simple question-answer flow - we'll take care of the rest!
Still have questions?
We're here to help! Contact our support team: support@taxfix.de