Tax Return for Retirees.
Easy to Understand. Simple. Secure.
Don’t worry about technical terms or complicated forms. taxtastic guides you step by step through your retirement tax return.
Are you required to file a tax return?
3 questions · 60 seconds · No login required. You’ll immediately see your tax liability and whether you need to file a return.
The information is listed on your pension adjustment notice from the German Pension Insurance.
It is listed on your pension adjustment notice as the “annual pension amount.” Alternatively: monthly pension × 12. Always use the gross amount—before health insurance deductions.
The total of all pension increases since the start of your pension. It’s listed on your most recent pension adjustment notice from the DRV. Rule of thumb: approx. 3% × annual pension × years since the start of your pension. If you retired in 2025 or later, enter 0.
It’s listed at the top of your pension notice as “Start of Pension.” This year determines how much of your pension is taxable.
For which tax year do you want to calculate the tax burden? Usually the most recent completed year.
Your marital status and church tax liability affect your basic exemption amount and the calculation.
These expenses reduce your tax burden. The sliders are preset with typical values for retirees.
Copayments, medications, dental prosthetics, eyeglasses, hearing aids, trips to the doctor—only what you paid yourself after health insurance reimbursement.
Labor costs only (no materials). Repairs, painters, cleaning help, yard care. 20% goes directly toward a tax deduction, up to €1,200 (tradespeople) + €4,000 (household).
Designed specifically for retirees
As a retiree, you have special tax options. taxtastic knows them all and helps you get every euro back.
Deduct Medical Expenses
Medications, trips to the doctor, medical aids, dentures—as a retiree, you can claim many healthcare expenses as extraordinary expenses for tax purposes.
Take Advantage of the Pension Exemption
A portion of your pension remains tax-free for life—depending on when you begin receiving your pension. If you start receiving your pension in 2026, 16% is tax-free. taxtastic automatically calculates your personal tax-free allowance.
Tradespeople’s Services
You can deduct 20% of the cost of home repairs from your taxes—up to €1,200 in tax savings per year. This also includes yard care and housekeeping services.
Disability Allowance
If you have health limitations or a disability, you’re entitled to flat-rate allowances without having to provide individual proof—starting at a GdB of 20. taxtastic calculates the correct amount.
Actively optimize your tax burden
No more surprises on your tax bill: Since the pension insurance system does not withhold income tax, many retirees are required to make quarterly advance payments. taxtastic shows you all the legal ways to reduce your tax burden—so you know what to expect and can plan effectively.
Real-world example
Whether it’s a refund or a reduced back payment—taxtastic gets you the maximum tax benefit.
Annual pension: €22,200
Health insurance: Public
- Health and long-term care insurance: €2,610
- Medications and doctor’s fees: €850
- Home repair services: €1,800
- Church tax: €320
- Donations: €250
Why Retirees Use taxtastic
Easy-to-understand language
No tax jargon. taxtastic explains everything in simple terms—perfect for anyone filing a tax return for the first time.
Tax Tips for Retirees
Automatic tips on tax deductions specifically for retirees—medical expenses, home repairs, insurance, and more.
Validation Check
Before submission, taxtastic checks your entries for errors and inconsistencies—ensuring an error-free tax return.
ELSTER Submission
Your completed tax return is securely sent to the tax office via the official ELSTER interface.
GDPR-compliant & secure
Your data is encrypted and hosted in Germany. SSL-protected and GDPR-compliant.
Register and try it for free
Prepare your tax return completely free of charge and see how much you’ll save. You don’t pay until you file.
Frequently Asked Questions
As a retiree, do I have to file a tax return?expand_more
Yes, if your taxable income exceeds the basic exemption amount (2026: €12,348 for single filers, €24,696 for married couples). Due to the increasing tax rate on pensions, more and more retirees are affected.
As a retiree, will I get a tax refund?expand_more
That depends on your situation. Unlike employees, the German Pension Insurance does not withhold income tax—instead, you make quarterly advance payments. Filing a tax return is always helpful: Either you’ll receive a refund, or you’ll reduce any potential back payment to the statutory minimum by claiming all the deductions you’re entitled to.
What is the pension tax exemption?expand_more
A portion of your pension remains tax-free for life. The percentage depends on when you start receiving your pension: If you start receiving your pension in 2026, 16% is tax-free; if you start in 2025, it’s 16.5%. This amount is set once and remains the same permanently.
What expenses can I deduct as a retiree?expand_more
Health and long-term care insurance premiums, medical expenses such as medications, eyeglasses, dentures, or travel to medical appointments, services provided by tradespeople, household-related services, donations, church tax, and—in the case of a disability—the disability allowance.
What is the “active pension” starting in 2026?expand_more
The “active pension” is intended to enable retirees to continue working while receiving tax benefits during retirement. The exact tax treatment will depend on the final statutory regulations.
Can I file a tax return retroactively?expand_more
Yes, you can file a voluntary tax return retroactively for up to 4 years. If you’ve never filed a tax return as a retiree, it’s often worth reviewing several years at once.
How much does taxtastic cost?
- Income Tax Return
- Validation Check
- One price—even for married couples
- Previous years: 4 for voluntary returns, up to 7 for mandatory returns
- Valuable tax tips
- All features of the BASIS plan
- Trade tax return
- Value-Added Tax Return
- Advance sales tax return
- Automatic EÜR. Includes depreciation, IAB, and all reserves.
- Integrated accounting tools
*Average tax refund according to the Federal Statistical Office (tax year 2021)