Got a letter from the Finanzamt? Here's what it probably says.

By Antony Njenga · Published 26 July 2026 · Updated 26 September 2026 · Checked against the official sources listed below · General information, not legal advice

Why the Finanzamt is writing to you

Almost every Finanzamt letter falls into one of four categories: reminding you to file a tax return you haven't submitted yet, telling you the result of a return you already filed, asking for missing documents, or chasing a payment. The tone is formal and impersonal because every letter is machine-generated from a template — it isn't personal, and it isn't automatically a penalty.

The four letters you'll most likely receive

1. A reminder to file (Erinnerung / Aufforderung zur Abgabe)

This says you're required to submit an Einkommensteuererklärung (income tax return) for a specific year and it hasn't arrived yet. It usually gives a new deadline, often 4–6 weeks out. Ignoring it risks the penalty below.

2. Your tax assessment (Steuerbescheid)

This is the result after you've filed — it states whether you owe money or are due a refund. Read the final page carefully: it states the amount and the payment or refund date. If you disagree with a figure, you have one month from the date on the letter to file an Einspruch (formal objection).

3. A late-filing penalty (Verspätungszuschlag)

Charged automatically under §152 of the Abgabenordnung (tax code) if your return arrives after the deadline. For an annual return it is 0.25% of the tax due for each month (or part month) you are late, with a minimum of €25 per month (§ 152 AO) — not a fixed shock amount — but it grows the longer you wait, so this is worth acting on quickly rather than ignoring further.

4. A payment reminder (Mahnung)

Sent if a bill from an earlier Steuerbescheid hasn't been paid. This is more urgent — a second unpaid Mahnung can lead to Vollstreckung (enforced collection), so don't let this one sit.

Scary words, decoded

What to actually do

• Find the deadline — it's almost always printed near the top or in the final paragraph, often after the phrase "bis zum" (by the).
• If it's a request for a return: file via ELSTER (the official online portal) or through a Steuerberater (tax advisor).
• If it's an assessment you disagree with: write a one-line Einspruch before the one-month window closes — you can add detail later.
• If it's a payment demand: pay by the stated date, or contact the Finanzamt directly to request a payment plan (Ratenzahlung) — they usually grant these if you ask before the deadline, not after.

Frequently asked questions

Official sources

• ELSTER — the official German online tax portal
• Abgabenordnung § 152 — Verspätungszuschlag (late-filing surcharge)
• Abgabenordnung § 355 — one-month objection period (Einspruchsfrist)

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