Tax Office Correspondence: Who Qualifies and What You Get
Understand the process of receiving your official tax assessment notice and the strict one-month deadline for filing an appeal.
When you file a tax return in Germany, you will eventually receive official correspondence from the tax office regarding your filing.
Who it's for
This correspondence is issued to anyone who files a tax return. Whether you are filing as an individual or through a professional, if you have submitted your tax documentation to the authorities, you fall under this process.
What you get
The primary outcome of this process is the official tax assessment notice. This document is the formal communication from the tax office that details your final tax situation for the period you filed. It serves as the official record of what you owe or what you are owed.
What it costs you
Receiving this notice requires patience. You should expect a waiting period, as it typically takes between two and four months for the tax office to process your filing and issue the assessment notice.
The catch to know
The most important detail to remember is the strict deadline for disagreements. If you believe there is an error in your assessment, you have exactly one month from the date you receive the notice to file an appeal, known locally as an Einspruch. If you miss this one-month window, it becomes much more difficult to contest the findings.
How to apply
- Complete and submit your tax return to the tax office.
- Monitor your mail or your digital tax portal for the arrival of your assessment notice.
- Review the details in the document to ensure all your reported information matches the assessment.
- If you find an error, submit your appeal (Einspruch) within the one-month window.