Düsseldorf · Einkommensteuererklärung
File an income-tax return in Düsseldorf
Filing an annual tax return in Düsseldorf 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 Düsseldorf?
You'll need 2 key documents: Tax ID (Steuer-ID), Annual payslip (Lohnsteuerbescheinigung). Düsseldorf is compact and efficient; many North Rhine-Westphalia services share the same state portals.
Can I do Einkommensteuererklärung online in Düsseldorf?
Income-tax returns are filed online via ELSTER (or apps like WISO/Taxfix).
Which office handles Einkommensteuererklärung in Düsseldorf?
File an income-tax return in Düsseldorf is handled at the local level in North Rhine-Westphalia. The exact office and any forms are linked from the official source on this page, and the Amtly app opens the right Düsseldorf / North Rhine-Westphalia 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.