Hello friends,

Some of my friends recommended this forum and have joined very recently. I look forward to receive responses from tax experts.

Thanks in advance for your time, help and suggestions.

My wife recently got a job in another city. For the same, she will be staying in a WG in the new city till we find a new house. We plan to relocate to the new city.

My questions are regarding tax claims -

1. The WG room involves some renovation cost.
Can these costs (against bills) be claimed as expenses (one time)?

2. We come to know, my wife can claim 'expenses incurred due to being away from home / husband' for work reasons depending on the number of hours.
eg - food expenses

I do not know the exact name of this clause in German. It is related to the number of hours a person is away at work.

Any idea what this is ? Is it applicable in my wife's case ? Any links to this clause ?

3a. During relocation - apart from petrol and cost of Transport wagon, what other expenses (eg packing material, house cleaning, painting) can be accounted as expenses?

3b. Is there a relocation Pauschal that we can claim as a family / my wife (separately) if we decide not to hire professional services for our relocation.

Best Regards,
Raj n Laxmi

Hello experts,

Awaiting some experts comments for my wife's case.
Please respond.

Thanks,
Raj

There are lots of possibilities to claim, so if you dont want to loose on something, consult a tax-consultant beforehand. He will give ideas and tips about bills which you may have to follow.

Just based on my moving from Mainz to Berlin in 2004, don't know if things have changed:

"1. The WG room involves some renovation cost.
Can these costs (against bills) be claimed as expenses (one time)?", Not as far as I know but you can get it deduced from your rent if you can get an agreement with your Landlord, I did it.

"2. We come to know, my wife can claim 'expenses incurred due to being away from home / husband' for work reasons depending on the number of hours. eg - food expenses. I do not know the exact name of this clause in German. It is related to the number of hours a person is away at work. Any idea what this is ?", yes it's the double house-holding law or something in that kind but it's only valid for 6 months if I remember well.

"Is it applicable in my wife's case ?", yes
"Any links to this clause ?", No, sorry

"3a. During relocation - apart from petrol and cost of Transport wagon, what other expenses (eg packing material, house cleaning, painting) can be accounted as expenses?", nearly everything, except what you spend renovating the old house.

"3b. Is there a relocation Pauschal that we can claim as a family / my wife (separately) if we decide not to hire professional services for our relocation.", no idea but you can claim that money. You won't receive back all of it though.

But better than all, see a tax consultant, I'll get you better information.

D.

Hello friends,

We really appreciate your time and prompt responses to our questions.

We already consulted a tax-consultant but he did not give any good suggestions
Hence we are talking to friends and experts (like in this forum) to find out.

Any advice on good tax-consultants esp. for Relocation and second house matters

or advice based on personal experience ?

Thanks & Regards,
Raj n Laxmi

>3b. Is there a relocation Pauschal that we can >claim as a family / my wife (separately) if we >decide not to hire professional services for our >relocation.

Hi Raj, I think you can claim around 500 EUROS if the move is made out of the business reasons (like getting a new job).
Cheers, Ana