Tax day is just around the corner for US citizens – and those living in Germany will want to file here first. Here are the most important dates (and extensions) to keep in mind during American tax season.
‘Tis the season once again, so collect your payslips, bank statements and deductible receipts.
For US citizens tax day comes quite a bit earlier than for Germans.
What’s more is US taxpayers are generally advised to file their German taxes first, because having that sorted allows you claim the Foreign Tax Credit, which exempts people from owing further income tax to the states in most cases.
Here are the most important tax deadlines that Americans in Germany should be aware of this year:
Germany and US tax deadlines at a glance (for 2024 tax year)
US standard tax deadline: April 15th 2025
US extended deadline for Americans living abroad: June 15th 2025
US extended deadline for late filing (on request): October 15th 2025
German standard tax deadline: July 31st 2025
German extended deadline for those filing with a tax advisor: April 30th 2026 (Typically the extended German deadline falls on February 28th, but the deadline for 2024 was pushed back again following pandemic-related extensions to tax deadlines in previous years.)
READ ALSO: The planned money and tax changes in Germany in 2025
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When do I have to submit my tax return?
In most cases US taxpayers in Germany are advised to file their German taxes first and then their US taxes.
Not everyone in Germany is required to file taxes each year, but if you intend to use the Foreign Tax Credit, for example, you’ll need to file in Germany before preparing your US taxes.
READ ALSO: Everything you need to know about paying taxes in Germany
Of course these documents can take some time – especially if you have multiple sources of income or a complicated situation. In some cases, you may also need to request documents that are missing, so the best advice is always to start sooner than later.
The Elster portal is Germany’s online tax return filing system. Photo: picture alliance/dpa/dpa-tmn | Christin Klose
If you wait to file your German taxes by the standard July 31st deadline, you’ll already have missed the US deadline for Americans abroad, which is set on June 15th.
If having both your German and US taxes sorted by June 15th isn’t feasible, you can extend your US deadline to October 15th by filing a request for an extension (Form 4868).
Other tax items US citizens should be aware of
In addition to the Foreign Tax Credit mentioned above, US taxpayers with an income lower than $126,500 in 2024 are eligible for the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion — which means that income can be excluded from US taxation.
In addition to filing your income tax, you’ll want to check on FBAR or FATCA requirements. For example, the former kicks in if you have $10,000 or more held in foreign bank accounts (that is non-US bank accounts).
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It’s also important to note that, according to the US-Germany tax treaty, certain types of income, such as pensions or social security, are taxed differently in each country. Speak with your tax advisor for more information on that.
If you are unsure about where to find an English-speaking tax advisor with experience in filing taxes in both Germany and the US, the US Embassy keeps a list on their website.
EXPLAINED:
This article is a general overview of tax deadlines for Americans in Germany, but is not intended to replace the advice of a qualified tax advisor. Readers are advised to seek further guidance from a tax professional to deal with their individual situation.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
