Published: 30.06.2026
German annual tax returns generally must be filed by 31 July of the year following the tax year. When a certified tax adviser prepares the return, the deadline extends to the end of February of the second following year; for the 2025 return, the source gives 31 July 2026 and 1 March 2027 as the respective deadlines.
The source sets out the recurring filing procedure and separate deadlines when a tax adviser prepares the return. For people relocating, this matters during their first German tax year, particularly when income is not fully covered by wage-tax withholding. Non-residents may also have to file when German income is not subject to withholding at source. This is a practical rule worth tracking when planning post-relocation paperwork and expenses.