You’ve probably come across the term “Werbungskosten” (income or work-related expenses) when it comes to taxes. But what exactly does it mean? In this article, we explain which expenses count, how they affect your tax return, and how to enter them correctly in the Taxfix app.
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Work-related expenses are professional costs that help you earn, maintain, or secure your income.
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Every employee automatically receives a lump-sum deduction – from 2023 onwards, it is €1,230 per year.
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Only if your work-related expenses exceed this amount do they reduce your taxable income further.
🚀 Your Guide
What are work-related expenses?
Work-related expenses, the so-called Werbungskostenpauschale, are any costs that arise in connection with your job – whether you’re currently employed or preparing to enter the workforce.
Examples include:
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Commuting to work
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Professionally used tools or materials
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Job-related training
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Relocation due to work
💡 Work-related expenses are costs incurred to acquire, secure, or maintain income. They are considered for income tax purposes – as long as they were not reimbursed tax-free by your employer.
➡️ Special rules apply for students – learn more here and about home office expenses here.
The work-related expenses lump sum
The tax office assumes that every employee has some job-related expenses and therefore applies a flat-rate deduction automatically:
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2020: €1,000
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2021 & 2022: €1,200
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from 2023: €1,230
This amount is automatically taken into account in your monthly payroll tax – no receipts or documentation are needed if you stay below it.
➡️ For married couples, the amount applies per person – it only doubles if both partners have income and are filing jointly.
What costs can I deduct?
To actually reduce your tax burden, your income-related expenses must exceed the flat-rate deduction. These may include:
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Work equipment (e.g. laptop, textbooks)
How do I enter work-related expenses in the Taxfix app?
In the app, you’ll find all relevant questions under the category “Job”. There you can:
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Enter each cost individually
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Specify if part was reimbursed by your employer
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Claim the remaining portion for tax purposes
💬 Support tip: If you're a student and the category “Job” doesn’t appear, go to “About you” and select “Studying / In training.” Then the “Education & Studies” category will appear where you can enter your income-related expenses.
Automatically applied: Lump sums and flat-rate amounts
Our app automatically checks if your work-related expenses exceed the flat-rate deduction. If not, the following amounts are applied:
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€1,000 (2020)
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€1,200 (2021–2022)
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€1,230 (from 2023)
Additionally, Taxfix automatically considers:
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a €110 allowance for work equipment, if you indicate employment – even if you don’t list specific items
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a flat €16 for bank account fees
📌 These amounts are usually accepted by the tax office without receipts.
🚀 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