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

The majority of people who file a tax return receive a refund, averaging 1172 Euro in the year 2021 according to data from the German Federal Statistical Office. The reason for such high refunds is that employees have tax deducted from their monthly salaries, but this advance payment is often too high. Many taxpayers incurred expenses simultaneously that the tax authorities recognize as reducing taxable income.

Advertising costs encompass all professional-related expenses. Apart from the traditional commuter allowance and training costs, you can also claim costs for old furniture used to furnish a workspace, expenses from a self-inflicted accident on the way to the office, or lump-sum allowances for a partner and children during a move.

The Handelsblatt provides an overview. A standard advertising costs allowance of 1230 Euro is deducted from the income of salaried employees by the tax authorities, even if no expenses are claimed. Consequently, the taxable income decreases, leading to a lower tax burden. If you can substantiate higher advertising costs than the standard allowance, you can save additional taxes.