Deducting Bildungsurlaub from Taxes -
Do It Right
Planning to take Bildungsurlaub and wondering if and how you can claim it on your taxes?
You’re in the right place! In 4 simple steps, we’ll show you how to deduct your Bildungsurlaub costs in Germany!
These expenses can be considered as work-related expenses in your tax return. For deducting your Bildungsurlaub, you can list the following costs:
Fees for the course or seminar.
All expenses for travel to and from the seminar.
Additional costs for meals.
Overnight costs if the course is not held locally.
The tax office requires evidence of the professional purpose of the Bildungsurlaub. Make sure to keep all your receipts organized and ready to submit. These include:
Seminar or course attendance certificate.
Invoices or payment receipts for course fees.
Accommodation and meal receipts.
Travel receipts (e.g., train tickets, gas receipts).
In Form N of your tax declaration, find the section for work-related expenses. There, include the total amount, including travel, meals, and professional literature costs, under “Further Training Costs.”
If your employer provided a tax-free grant, you must deduct this amount. The entry amount is then reduced accordingly.
The tax office automatically deducts 1,000 euros as work-related expenses for employees. You just need to submit your tax return without additional details. These flat rates make deductions easier if you don’t have itemized receipts.
If your job-related expenses exceed 1,000 euros per year, avoid the flat rate. Instead, it’s better to itemize your expenses individually.
Requirements for Deducting
Bildungsurlaub from Taxes
In general, you can submit all fees for your Bildungsurlaub as work-related expenses to the tax office. These are costs incurred for work, like travel, business trips, or training such as Bildungsurlaub.
It’s essential to clearly demonstrate how the training supports your profession, such as by providing new skills that help maintain your position or advance your qualifications. This is needed to prove the professional benefit of the training.
Recognized yoga or sports courses are also deductible!
The course doesn’t need to be directly related to your profession. A recognized yoga or sports course can also be deductible, as yoga enhances flexibility and confidence, while sports courses improve physical health and resilience.
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We hope this has provided you with a solid overview of Bildungsurlaub. If you have further questions, feel free to email us.
About The Author
Nils is a digital entrepreneur who combines the digital world with his passion for personal development and work-life balance through meinbildungsurlaub.de. As the initiator of the platform, he wants to to help people achieve their professional and personal goals and promote the topic of Bildungsurlaub.
