Lohnsteuerbescheinigung: What is an annual payslip?

At the end of the calendar year or when leaving a job, your employer will provide you with a printed version of your electronic annual payslip. This document contains all relevant details about your gross salary, tax deductions, social security contributions, and other amounts relevant to your income tax return.

🚀 Your Guide 

• What information is on the annual payslip?
• Difference between annual payslip and monthly payslip
• Mini-job and tax return – do you need to declare it?
• When do I receive my annual payslip?
• Do I have to enter the annual payslip in my tax return?
• What if the payslip is missing or incorrect?
• Should I keep my annual payslip?
• How do I enter the annual payslip in the app?
• Common issues and error messages

What Information Is on the Annual Payslip?

The annual payslip includes:

• Tax ID, tax class, child allowances
• Employer details
• Gross salary
• Income tax, solidarity surcharge, church tax
• Contributions to health, pension, nursing, and unemployment insurance
• Compensation benefits (e.g. short-time work allowance)
• Employer reimbursements

Difference Between Annual Payslip and Monthly Payslip

The annual payslip is a standardized yearly summary of all tax-relevant employment data, such as gross salary, deductions, and social contributions. It is legally binding and electronically submitted to the tax office by your employer.

The monthly payslip, on the other hand, is for your personal reference. It shows your net pay, overtime, and deductions for that specific month. It is not the same as the annual payslip and cannot replace it.

➡️ Only the annual payslip is relevant for your tax return.

Mini-job and Tax Return – Do You Need to Declare It?

If you have a mini-job (up to €520/month), you typically won’t receive an annual payslip, as taxes are usually paid at a flat rate by the employer.

➡️ You don’t need to include your mini-job in the tax return if:

• your employer pays flat-rate tax
• you earn no more than €520/month
• you don’t earn additional income from this job

💡 In certain cases, such as individual taxation or income above €520/month, declaration may be required. Check your monthly payslip or ask your employer.

When Do I Receive My Annual Payslip?

• No later than February of the following year
• Often earlier if you leave the company mid-year
• If missing: contact your employer’s HR department

Do I Have to Enter the Annual Payslip in the Tax Return?

Your employer automatically submits the annual payslip data to the tax office. In the app, you can provide this information in two ways:

• Enter it manually, upload a photo, or a file
• Use the pre-filled tax return (Prefill) to retrieve the data from the tax office

⚠️ Important: To ensure a correct calculation in the app, the annual payslip must be included. Without it, the app’s result may differ from the official tax office result.

What if the Annual Payslip Is Missing or Incorrect?

• Missing document? Contact your HR department
• Errors? Notify your employer and request a corrected version

Should I Keep My Annual Payslip?

Yes! It may be needed for:

• Retirement calculation
• Parental allowance
• Kindergarten applications
• BAföG student aid
• Care for relatives

💡 Tip: File it together with your tax assessment each year.

How Do I Enter the Annual Payslip in the App?

1. In the "About you" section, select that you were employed.
2. In the "Job" category, the payslip input will appear.

You have three options:

• 📸 Take a photo: ensure good lighting and alignment
• 📂 Upload a file: JPEG, PNG, or PDF (max. 10 MB)
• ✍️ Enter manually: from top to bottom, skip empty lines

🚨 Always double-check: ensure your entries match the document exactly.

Common Issues and Error Messages

• Error despite correct data? Some fields may not apply (e.g. for civil servants).
• Enter values exactly as listed, using commas for cents. The app will add thousand separators.
  
   
• Extremely high values? Delete and re-enter manually.
  
   
• Lines after line 34 are usually not required. If they contain relevant info, report them under "Expenses".
  
   
• Multiple annual payslips?
  • Answer "Yes" for additional employers
  • Answer "No" if it's the same employer and a duplicate
    
     
• Issues with prefilled data?
  • Select "No, thanks" when prompted
  • Select "No commute" if prompted twice

💡 Tip: For discrepancies or questions about multiple payslips, your local tax office can assist.

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