Guide · Taxes

Sending receipts to your tax advisor in Germany: which ones count and how

Updated 5 October 2026 · 5 min read

Send your Steuerberater (tax advisor) the receipts that belong to work-related expenses, craftsmen's services or household services, ideally as a readable photo or PDF, with item lines if needed. For craftsmen's work a till receipt is not enough: you need the invoice and proof of a bank transfer. This text is not tax advice; what you can deduct is a question for your tax advisor or the Finanzamt (tax office).

Do you still have to hand receipts to the Finanzamt?

Usually not. Since the 2017 tax year, Germany has had a Belegvorhaltepflicht (duty to keep receipts available) instead of the old duty to submit them (§ 150 para. 7 AO, the tax code): you no longer send receipts in with your return, but you should keep them and be able to show them if the Finanzamt asks. If a Steuerberater prepares your return, he or she will still usually want the receipts so they can check what can be claimed.

So the collecting did not go away, only the submitting. For how long to keep receipts in general, see How long to keep receipts in Germany.

Which receipts matter for taxes?

Most supermarket receipts play no role in a tax return. Depending on your situation, these can matter:

• Werbungskosten (work-related expenses, § 9 EStG), such as work equipment, professional books or office supplies.
• Handwerkerleistungen and haushaltsnahe Dienstleistungen (craftsmen's services and household services) under § 35a EStG, for example painting, repairs or a cleaner.
• Other items such as medical costs or donations, if you want to claim them.
• For self-employed people: business expenses. Stricter rules apply, so clarify them with your tax advisor.

Whether an expense can actually be deducted, and how much, depends on your case. That is decided by your advisor and the Finanzamt, not by this app or this text.

What do craftsmen's and household services require?

Under § 35a EStG your tax can be reduced by a share of the labour costs: 20 % of labour costs for craftsmen's work, up to 1,200 euros a year; 20 % for household services, up to 4,000 euros a year. Among other conditions you need:

1. An invoice that shows the labour costs. A plain till receipt or cash slip does not do.
2. Non-cash payment: you transfer the money to the tradesperson's bank account. Paying cash generally rules out the reduction.
3. Keep both: the invoice and your bank statement (or transfer confirmation), in case the Finanzamt asks for them.

How do you get receipts to your tax advisor?

Many firms accept receipts by email or through their own portal. Ask which format they prefer. Whatever they say, a few habits help:

• Collect receipts through the year instead of hunting for them in December.
• Make sure the photo or PDF is readable: the whole receipt, flat, good light.
• Send the invoice and the proof of payment together.
• For long receipts with many items, pass on only the relevant lines if the rest is private.
• Keep the originals unless your advisor says otherwise.

How does Bonstructer help?

Bonstructer keeps receipts, invoices and slips in one searchable archive: scan with the camera, upload a photo or PDF, import a QR e-receipt, or forward an email to bons@bonstructer.com, where PDF and photo attachments are read automatically. The original photo or PDF stays attached to the receipt, and you find it again by searching for shop, date or item.

To pass one on, open the receipt and use Per E-Mail senden (send by email):

1. Open the receipt and choose Per E-Mail senden.
2. Pick the recipient, for example the saved address Steuerberatung (tax advisor). You enter it once and it is remembered, as are employer, partner or landlord.
3. Choose whether the item lines and the original photo or PDF go along.
4. Send: the email goes out from your sign-in address, or through the mail app on your device.

Bonstructer runs in the browser at bonstructer.com/app. Basic use is free; some extra and AI features use credits (AIC), and the price is shown before you use them. The Android app is in closed testing on Google Play; on iPhone you use the web app from your home screen. A line can occasionally be read wrongly, so correct it in the receipt before sending.