German tax return after leaving Germany
Leaving Germany does not automatically mean that an unclaimed German tax refund is lost. Former residents can have previous German tax years reviewed remotely.
Request my free preliminary check →You do not need to live in Germany to ask for a review
Our service is fully remote. If you worked in Germany and later moved abroad, you can send the relevant information and Lohnsteuerbescheinigungen electronically for a preliminary review.
Previous years may still matter
For employee cases where an assessment is requested rather than mandatory, German law provides for assessment upon application under § 46(2) no. 8 EStG. The precise filing deadline depends on the individual year and circumstances, so older years should be checked promptly rather than assumed to be lost.
Check several years together
You may upload certificates for several German tax years in one request. We can then identify which years appear worth a closer look and whether any filing-obligation issue needs separate attention.
You can use the contact form without a Lohnsteuerbescheinigung and send your question first.
Ask a question or request a free check →Frequently asked questions
Can you help if I now live abroad?
Yes. The preliminary review and, where appropriate, the later tax-return process can be handled remotely.
Can I send several years?
Yes. Multiple PDFs and tax years can be submitted together.
This page provides general information only. The tax result and filing requirements depend on the individual facts and applicable law.