Save all receipts for:

• travel and other expenses if you are searching for a job in Germany before moving
• plane tickets and other travel related expenses once you leave for your new home
• car rental expenses once you arrive and are getting settled
• moving expenses including movers, packing supplies

Assuming you are not being reimbursed by your employer for them, it’s likely you will be able to deduct at least some of them on your taxes.

Can you deduct the expenditures from your first trip to IKEA? Nope, but don’t worry we asked a professional on that one.

Do you have any suggestions for receipts to save in order to maximize deductions?  Please leave them in the comments!

• Tax preparation costs are federally legislated, not set by the individual preparers.  The amount is based on your income level. Guess there is no incentive for them to innovate.
• Expenditures for local craftsman/workman services, for example having your apartment painted, are tax-deductible if you have a receipt.  You get a tax deduction and the government keeps track of service provider income. No wonder you can often get a discount if you pay cash – and forgo the receipt!