If you work in the field (Außendienst), meaning you are regularly traveling for work, you can claim significantly more travel expenses than someone with a fixed workplace. You may also be able to claim per diem allowances for meals (Verpflegungsmehraufwand) for longer assignments away from home.
In this article, we explain how to correctly report field work in the Taxfix app, how mileage allowances work, and how to use a logbook for documentation.
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Field work means no fixed workplace but changing job locations.
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For car travel, you can claim €0.30 per kilometer driven.
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This rate also applies to motorcycles and mopeds. For public transport, you can deduct actual ticket costs.
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A logbook helps document your work-related trips accurately.
🚀 Your Guide
What Counts as Field Work?
Field work includes any business-related travel to changing locations outside your place of residence – such as visiting clients, construction sites, or partners.
Important: This does not include regular commutes to a fixed workplace. If you have no permanent office and constantly travel to different locations, you're considered to be working in the field for tax purposes.
➡️ For help distinguishing between field work and a regular workplace, check our article: How to determine your workplace.
What Travel Costs Can I Claim?
If you use your own vehicle for work, you can claim €0.30 per kilometer driven – this is the standard mileage allowance, and it applies to:
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Cars (owned or rented)
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Motorcycles and mopeds
If you use public transport (e.g. bus or train), you can claim the actual ticket prices instead.
⚠️ The mileage allowance covers all vehicle-related costs – such as fuel, maintenance, insurance, repairs, and inspections. These cannot be claimed separately.
Read more in our article: How to report field work travel costs.
How Is the Mileage Allowance Calculated?
For field work, you can claim each kilometer driven – both outbound and return trips. Unlike the standard commuter allowance, which only covers one-way trips, here the full distance counts.
Example:
You drive 50 km to your job site and 50 km back: 100 km × €0.30 = €30 in deductible business expenses for the day.
💡 This is usually more beneficial than the commuter allowance.
How Does a Logbook Work?
A logbook is especially helpful if you travel to many different locations. It serves as proof of:
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Travel date
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Destination and job site
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Purpose of the trip (must be work-related)
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Distance driven (round trip)
You can keep your logbook digitally or on paper. It must be complete, consistent, and clear. The tax office only accepts it if it’s properly maintained.
💡 In the Taxfix app, you enter the total kilometers for a specific time period – for example, all business kilometers in one month. A logbook helps you calculate this total accurately.
Company Car During Field Work: What Applies?
If your employer provides a company car for private use, you cannot claim personal travel expenses. In this case, the car is taxed separately (e.g., via the 1% rule).
➡️ If the car is provided only for business purposes (e.g., with logbook requirements or private use restrictions), you must prove that no private use occurs. In this case, business expenses might be deductible – depending on your employment contract.
Tip: Check with your employer whether private use is allowed.
How to Enter Your Trips in the Taxfix App
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Go to the "Job" category in the app.
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Indicate that you did not have a fixed workplace and worked in field service.
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Enter the time period, number of working days, and total kilometers driven.
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Select your mode of transport (car, motorcycle, train, etc.).
💡 If you traveled to different places each day, you can enter the total number of kilometers for the entire time period. A logbook helps ensure accurate tracking.
📚 More info:
With the right entries, you can easily claim your business travel expenses as deductions in your tax return.
🚀 Fill out the simple question-answer flow - we'll take care of the rest!
Still have questions?
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