When filing your tax return, questions often arise about which costs you can deduct from your taxes. What about the energy costs? We have the best tips for you on how you can not only save energy but also optimize your taxes.
Energy costs are constantly rising, so it certainly makes sense to know how to reduce them. In addition to the obvious measures such as switching providers or conscious heating behavior, there are also tax options to reduce the burden of energy costs. Here are some tips and tricks on how you can deduct your energy costs from your taxes.
1. Energy costs in the home office and your own study
Do you work from home or do you even have your office at home? Then you may be able to deduct your energy costs. For the tax years 2020 to 2022, you could already claim €5 per day for every day spent working from home as business expenses, up to a maximum of €600 per year. From 2023 it will even be €6 per day, with a maximum of €1,260 per year.
If you instead have your professional center in your own study at home, you can also deduct the entire cost of the room, including the proportionate energy costs for heating, electricity and water, as business expenses. However, it is important to note that the tax office closely examines the use of the study. If you cannot prove the costs in detail, you can alternatively specify an annual flat rate for the study.
2. Double housekeeping and energy costs
If you maintain a second home in another location for professional reasons, you can claim the monthly costs of up to €1,000 in your tax return. This also includes the proportional energy costs. Some conditions must be met in order to claim dual household management, including the fact that the second home exists solely because of the job and is not the center of life.
3. Tax incentives for photovoltaic systems
Do you have a photovoltaic system? Then you can look forward to some tax relief. In most cases, retroactively to January 1, 2022, income tax is no longer due on profits from the PV system. From 2023, a 0% sales tax rate will also apply to the delivery and installation of the PV system with all essential components.
4. Use of electric car as a company car
Do you drive an electric car that is also used for business? Then you can benefit from some tax advantages. The private use of an electric company car is subject to reduced taxation compared to conventional petrol or diesel vehicles. In addition, there are also regulations regarding the tax deductibility of charging costs, both with and without charging options at the employer.
Overall, there are various options for deducting energy costs from taxes and thus achieving financial relief. It's worth keeping an eye on these options and taking advantage of them if necessary to reduce your own expenses. And don't forget to download our large tax return checklist to make sure you don't forget any relevant costs!
Download the large tax return checklist for free HERE.
Also interesting: Can homeopathic remedies be deducted from taxes? That is possible.