Steuererklärung 2025: 1230 Euro pauschal: Diese Werbungskosten senken die Steuerlast noch weiter

The majority of individuals who file a tax return receive a refund, averaging 1172 euros according to data from the Federal Statistical Office for the year 2021. This is due to the fact that employees have tax withheld from their monthly wages, which is often an overpayment as many taxpayers incur expenses that the finance ministry recognizes as reducing taxable income.

Advertising costs encompass any expenses related to one's profession. In addition to the standard commuter allowance and training expenses, you can also claim the cost of furnishing a workroom with old furniture, the expenses of an accident you incurred while driving to the office, or allowances for a partner and children during a move.

The Handelsblatt provides an overview. For salaried employees, the finance ministry deducts a flat rate of 1230 euros as advertising costs from their earnings, even if no expenses have been claimed, thereby lowering the taxable income and the tax burden. If you can substantiate higher advertising costs, you can further reduce your tax liability.