The tax return is considered annoying for many. Instead of doing it yourself, please contact a tax advisor. But is that even paying off?
House plaster, gardening, change of wallpaper – many strenuous tasks can be left to professional service providers. This also applies to the tax return.
But is the money really well invested for this? We explain what a tax advisor costs, for whom this is worth it and what alternatives you have.
Tax consultant costs are legally regulated in the so -called tax consultant compensation regulation (StBVV). It determines the minimal and maximum fees for a service. This fee range is specified in so -called tenth. In the case of the income tax return, for example, it is between 1/10 and 6/10 of the full fee (10/10).
That means: how much you actually have to pay in the end is at the discretion of the tax advisor. If the effort is average, the so -called medium fee is usually due. The tax advisor then starts 3.5/10, so multiplies the full fee with this factor. If he demands more, he has to justify that.
- Example: Let us assume that they earn as employees as employees of 40,000 euros a year. With this so -called item value, Table A of the STBVV results in a full fee (10/10) of 1,061 euros (as of March 2025). If the tax advisor now starts the low fee of 3.5/10, the income tax return costs 371.35 euros (0.35 x 1,061 euros). There are also 19 percent sales tax. You can see Table A here.
Tip: Submit all the necessary documents in an orderly manner. This saves the tax advisor time – and money for yourself.
Greater discretion than with the income tax return have tax consultants for services for self-employed and freelancers such as the sales tax return and the income-surplus calculation. Here are the fee ranges between 1/10 and 8/10 or 5/10 and 30/10. The same applies to the initial consultation (1/10 to 10/10) and the bookkeeping (2/10 to 12/10).
- Example: Let us assume that you achieve income of 50,000 euros a year with your independent job. Then, according to Table B, the STBVV results in the full fee of 248 euros for the income surplus calculation (as of March 2025). Since the tax advisor can start between 5/10 and 20/10, he could charge you between 124 euros and 496 euros. If he puts the low fee of 12.5/10, they land at 310 euros. You can see Table B here.
In principle, a tax advisor is only worthwhile if the costs do not exceed the repayment. According to the Federal Statistical Office, the average repayment was last 1,063 euros. How much or whether you get anything from the tax office depends on your individual situation.
For many employees, the tax return is not particularly complicated. So you could also do it yourself and save several hundred euros for the tax advisor (more on this below).
But there are also cases in which special knowledge is required. For example, if they are cross -border commuters, partly work abroad, put on money abroad and want to get the withholding tax back abroad, sell solar power out of their photovoltaic system, give away assets or inherit themselves.
- Inherit or give? This is how you save in inheritance tax
Many self-employed and freelancers also use tax advisors, since they not only have to submit an income tax return, but also an income-surplus calculation as well as also often a sales tax return and advance sales tax registrations.
But even as an employee, you can of course come to the conclusion that it is simply worth commissioning a tax advisor, even if you lose money – just not to have to take care of yourself.
However, this only applies if you are obliged to make a tax return at all. Read here whether the tax return is compulsory or voluntary.
Yes – and as advertising costs. However, you can only deduct the tax consultant costs that were necessary to determine your income. This includes, for example, advice on income and advertising costs in the event of non -independent work, help in bookkeeping and filling out systems for income and expenses. You can also claim tax specialist literature, the travel costs to the tax consultant and even any accident costs on the way.
However, if the tax advisor helps you to fill out the coat sheet or the system, you cannot deduct the costs from the tax. The same applies to special expenses, extraordinary loads and advice on inheritance tax, child benefit or childcare costs.
Good to know: If your tax advisor charge you a flat -rate amount for all services, the tax office generally recognizes 70 percent of the total amount.
A favorable alternative to the tax advisor are associations for income tax aid. Here, however, certain requirements must be met.
On the one hand, freelancers, traders and other self -employed people are not allowed to claim help, but only employees, pensioners, civil servants and pensioners. On the other hand, income from other investments or rentals must not exceed the limit of 18,000 euros. In the case of merged couples, it is 36,000 euros. The amount of the salary, on the other hand, does not matter.
