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Attention commuters: New flat rate will bring more money from 2026!
From January 1, 2026, new tax regulations will apply in Germany, including a higher commuter allowance of 38 cents per kilometer.
Attention commuters: New flat rate will bring more money from 2026!
From January 1, 2026, far-reaching tax changes will come into force in Germany that will particularly affect commuters. The commuter allowance will be increased to 38 cents per kilometer - a step that will benefit all commuters, regardless of whether they get to work by car, train, bike or on foot. Previously, this increase only applied from the 21st kilometer onwards, but now everyone benefits from this uniform rate from the first kilometer onwards. According to that Black Forest messenger Employees who travel ten kilometers to work can deduct an additional 176 euros annually.
But it's not just the commuter allowance that will be adjusted. The basic allowance also increases by 252 euros to 12,348 euros, and child benefit will increase by four euros per child per month to 259 euros. These changes, which reduce the tax burden for many families, frame the new commuter regulation. This has more details on this Federal Ministry of Finance provided.
Commuter allowance in detail
The commuter allowance represents an important tax relief for journeys between home and work. It is only credited for the days on which the office is visited; Vacation days, sick periods or days spent working from home do not count.
All taxpayers, whether employees or self-employed people, can claim commuting costs in their tax return, which are then recovered for tax purposes through business expenses. The previous employee flat rate of 1,230 euros will remain in effect in 2026 and will be automatically taken into account without supporting documentation RND.
- Bei einem Arbeitsweg von 10 Kilometern und einer 5-Tage-Woche können nun 176 Euro mehr abgesetzt werden.
- Für 20 Kilometer sind es künftig 352 Euro.
- Und bei 5 Kilometern können 88 Euro mehr steuerlich geltend gemacht werden.
A maximum limit for flat rates remains at 4,500 euros per year, unless the actual costs exceed this amount. In such cases, evidence is required.
Further tax relief
The reform also brings relief for electric cars, whose vehicle tax exemption will be extended until the end of 2035. This leads to a relief effect of 45 million euros in 2026, which can increase to up to 370 million euros by 2030. Additional measures such as reducing sales tax in the catering industry to 7 percent will also take effect from January 1, 2026, which should result in annual relief of 3.6 billion euros.
In summary, it can be said that the changes in the new year will bring noticeable relief for many citizens. In addition to the improved conditions for commuters, families, older employees and the catering industry also benefit from the new regulations. A good reason to pay attention the next time you file your taxes!