Bremen · Einkommensteuererklärung
File an income-tax return in Bremen
Filing an annual tax return in Bremen often gets employees a refund — the average is well over €1,000. You submit it online via ELSTER (free) or an English-friendly app like WISO or Taxfix, using your annual payslip and any deductible receipts.
Deadline is usually 31 July of the following year; refunds take ~6–8 weeks after filing.
What you need to bring
- Tax ID (Steuer-ID)Required
How to get it: Mailed automatically ~2–3 weeks after your first Anmeldung. Lost it? Find it on a payslip or tax assessment, or request it again from the BZSt online.
- Annual payslip (Lohnsteuerbescheinigung)Required
How to get it: Issued by your employer at year-end (or when you leave) — usually in the HR portal. You need it for the tax return.
- German IBAN (for the refund)If applicable
How to get it: Download as PDF from your online banking. Offices usually want the last 3 months.
Can you do it online?
Income-tax returns are filed online via ELSTER (or apps like WISO/Taxfix).
Open the official portal ↗Good to know
- Employees usually don't have to file — but it's worth it because commuting, work equipment, relocation and home-office costs are deductible.
- Your Lohnsteuerbescheinigung (annual payslip) has most of the numbers you need; the employer issues it after year-end.
- Apps like Taxfix/WISO walk you through it in English and estimate your refund before you submit.
- Married couples can file jointly (Zusammenveranlagung), which often lowers the total tax.
Frequently asked questions
What do I need for Einkommensteuererklärung in Bremen?
You'll need 2 key documents: Tax ID (Steuer-ID), Annual payslip (Lohnsteuerbescheinigung). Bremen is a compact city-state, so most offices and the Bürgeramt are centrally run and relatively easy to reach.
Can I do Einkommensteuererklärung online in Bremen?
Income-tax returns are filed online via ELSTER (or apps like WISO/Taxfix).
Which office handles Einkommensteuererklärung in Bremen?
File an income-tax return in Bremen is handled at the local level in Bremen. The exact office and any forms are linked from the official source on this page, and the Amtly app opens the right Bremen / Bremen portal for you.
Checklist last verified 2026-06-13. Rules vary by office and change over time — always confirm with the official source linked above.