If you need a second home for professional reasons, you can deduct the associated costs in your tax return. We’ll explain the conditions and what amounts you can deduct.
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You can deduct up to €1,000 per month for your second home – including rent, utilities, and furnishings.
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Trips home and meal expenses for the first three months are also tax-deductible.
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Enter this information in the app under “Job”, if your second household exists for professional reasons.
🚀 Your Guide
Who can claim a double household?
You can deduct the cost of a second home if it is job-related and your main place of residence remains your primary home. These conditions must be met:
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The second home is equal in size or smaller than the main residence.
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It is closer to your workplace than your main residence.
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If your job is temporary, the tax office will more easily accept the costs.
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If you’re married, your primary home should be where your spouse or family lives.
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You travel home regularly and spend most of your free time there.
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You contribute at least 10% to the ongoing costs of the primary household (e.g., rent, electricity, water) and can prove it.
If these conditions are met, you can enter the costs as work-related expenses in your tax return.
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Can I claim a double household as a trainee?
Yes – if you meet the same conditions.
However, if you still live rent-free at your parents’ home, your main residence is not considered an independent household for tax purposes. In that case, you can’t claim a second home.
These costs can be deducted
🚗 Travel costs
You can deduct travel costs between your primary and secondary residence (known as "family home trips"). You may claim €0.30 per kilometer (one way) for one trip home per week.
🚚 Moving-in costs
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Moving company
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Rental van
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Flight or train ticket
⚠️ Important: The flat-rate moving allowance is not deductible, since your main residence doesn’t change.
🏘️ Accommodation costs
You can deduct up to €1,000 per month for:
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Rent
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Utilities (e.g., heating, water)
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Necessary furnishings (e.g., bed, desk)
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Parking space
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Garbage collection, chimney sweep
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Broadcasting fees (TV/radio license)
🍴Meal expenses
For the first three months after moving into the second residence, you can deduct €28 per day as additional meal expenses – for each day spent at the second residence.
Where do I enter the information in the app?
You can enter the costs of maintaining a double household in the Taxfix app under the “Job” category.
These costs are tax-deductible if the second household exists for professional reasons, or as part of a study program or vocational training.
💡 Tip: The tax office only recognizes a double household under certain conditions.
ℹ️ You’ll find helpful information on these conditions in the app, next to the relevant questions – just tap the info icon!
🚀 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