Practical guide
Tax return: documents to prepare
Source text as of 2 September 2026 · General information
The documents depend on income, family circumstances, commuting, professional expenses, property and international matters.
Documents and information to prepare
- Steuer-ID and personal details of everyone included
- Lohnsteuerbescheinigung from every employer
- Bank details for possible refunds
- Evidence of commuting, business travel, work equipment and other professional expenses
- Insurance, pension, donation, childcare and other claimed expense records
- Children’s documents and Kindergeld information where relevant
- Foreign income, rental, self-employment or investment records where applicable
- Previous tax assessment and tax office correspondence where useful
Important to know
Not every document must be sent automatically to Finanzamt. Keep the evidence and provide it when requested or when needed to explain an important circumstance.
Official sources and forms
Finanzamt NRW · income taxOfficial ELSTER portalWe help organise documents, translate and handle correspondence. We do not provide unauthorised tax advice; individual tax assessments need an authorised professional.