Commuter Tax Deduction 2025

Calculate German commuter allowance & tax savings

Updated 2025
🚗

Distance Allowance 2025

First 20 km: €0.30/km • From 21 km: €0.38/km • Home Office Allowance: €6/day (max. €1,260/year)

📍 Commute

km

Shortest road connection (not round trip)

Minus vacation, holidays, sick days

Quick Select:

🚌 Transport Mode

💰 Tax Settings

35%
14% (Entry rate)45% (Top rate)

Marginal tax rate reference (taxable income):

30.000 €: ~27%50.000 €: ~35%70.000 €: ~40%100.000 €: ~42%
Annual Tax Savings

635,95 €

= 53,00 €/month

Total Deduction Amount

1.817,00 €

📊 Breakdown

Work Days per Year230 days
Home Office Days0 days
First 20 km × €0.301.380,00 €
From 21 km × €0.38437,00 €
= Commuter Allowance1.817,00 €
Total Deduction1.817,00 €

📅 Per Work Day

7,90 €

Deduction per commute

📋 Important Rules

  • • Only one-way distance counts (not round trip)
  • • Shortest road connection, not actual route
  • • Applies to all transport modes (car, transit, bike, walking)
  • • Multiple workplaces: Only first workplace counts
  • • Carpooling: Each person gets full allowance

💡 Tax Tips

  • • Keep a mileage log for audit documentation
  • • Public transit costs may be more favorable than allowance
  • • Home office allowance can be claimed additionally
  • • Detours only accepted for carpooling
  • • Employer subsidies don't reduce the allowance

⚠️ This calculation is for guidance only and does not replace tax advice. Actual tax savings depend on your individual tax situation.

How to Calculate Your Commuter Allowance

  1. Enter your one-way commute distance in kilometers
  2. Specify the number of work days per week and weeks per year
  3. Add any home office days (these reduce commute days)
  4. Select your transport mode (car, public transit, bike, or mixed)
  5. View your annual tax deduction and estimated savings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Pendlerpauschale?

The Pendlerpauschale (commuter allowance) is a German tax deduction for commuting to work. You can deduct €0.30 per km for the first 20 km and €0.38 per km beyond that (2024/2025 rates).

Is it one-way or round-trip distance?

Only the one-way distance counts. You cannot claim the return journey. Use the shortest road distance, not the actual route you take.

Does it apply to all transport modes?

Yes, the Pendlerpauschale applies regardless of how you commute - car, public transit, bicycle, or even walking. The distance-based deduction is the same.

Can I claim public transit costs instead?

Yes, if your actual public transit costs exceed the Pendlerpauschale calculation, you can claim the higher amount. This tool compares both options.

How does home office affect the calculation?

Days worked from home don't count as commute days. You can claim the home office allowance (€6/day, max €1,260/year) for those days instead.

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