Tax offices currently have a processing backlog, which leads to long processing times for income tax returns. Employees cannot keep up with the processing due to additional tasks such as property tax returns. The lack of staff is extending the processing time.
Further delays are expected in 2023.
The processing time of a tax case can vary greatly and depends on the complexity, whether it is automated or processed by a tax official. You can obtain information about the processing status from your tax office:
Tax returns are always processed by the tax office responsible. Therefore, only your tax official can provide information about the current processing status after you have submitted your tax return.
When you have submitted your tax return to the tax office with Lohnsteuer kompakt, you will receive a confirmation of receipt (Empfangsbestätigung). This serves as proof of its receipt by your tax office. You will find a summary of the data in your user account, including the contact details of your tax office for further queries. Always provide your tax number in case of queries!
Important: If the tax office has been unresponsive for six months since you submitted your tax return, you have a right to file an appeal against the lack of action.