Luxembourg tax return 2023: Don't miss the deadline!

Tax returns - the ‘fun’ of the year for many employees in Luxembourg. If you thought you had endless time, here's a little spoiler: the deadline for the 2023 tax return is 31 December 2024, and this is a cut-off deadline. If you miss it, there's no ‘Oh, can I still submit it later?’ - the tax authorities will give you the cold shoulder.

Why is this serious? If you miss the deadline, you not only lose the option of a joint assessment, but also many tax advantages. And now comes the shock: we have already seen cases where missing the deadline has led to five-figure additional payments. You don't want to experience that!

So: prick up your ears and pay attention so you don't fall into the tax trap!

What's at stake?

Here's a quick look at the possible deductions that won't be granted if you file late:

• Loan interests (yes, that hurts especially),
• Insurance and building society savings,
• Donations (good karma, but no a tax bonus),
• Extraordinary expenses or maintenance (the authorities say: ‘Tough luck’).

In short: the money stays away if you don't act in time.

What to do when time is running out?

If you're sweating over your tax return, don't panic. Focus on the basics!

You should at least complete the following by 31 December 2024:

1. The first four pages: Fill in the personal details and make the claims you are entitled to. Important in particular: Do you want equal treatment (page 3), do you want joint assessment (page 4).
2. Income from employment: These fields are mandatory - no cheating possible.
3. Loan interest for home ownership or consumption
4. Don't forget your signature: Very important - the declaration only becomes valid when you sign it on the last page. And if you are married, your spouse must also sign (no excuses).
5. Submit together with the supporting documents

What must be included?

The tax return is like an exam - if it is incomplete, you are deemed not to have submitted it at all and to have failed. So: collect your receipts!

• Income tax certificates (Luxembourgish and French/German/Belgian, etc.),
• Annual statement for loan interest,
• Receipts for insurance payments (a little tip: an online bank statement is often sufficient).

Digital or paper?

If you're thinking: ‘I'll do this quickly online’ - great idea! But first check whether you fulfil all the technical requirements:

Check myguichet.lu to see if this is the case

If not, there's no way around the traditional paperwork - head to Bureau Z (if you live in Germany), Y (if you live in France), or X (if you live in another country).

Conclusion

No matter how you do it, the main thing is that you do it - and by 31 December 2024 at the latest. After all, you don't want to miss out on all the advantages that Luxembourg tax law offers!

So make yourself a coffee, get your documents ready and remember - tax returns may be a pain, but the relief afterwards is priceless (or at best: tax-deductible! 😉)

This article was written by tax consultant and lawyer Miriam Keusen.