Where the tax office looks closely

Frankfurt Drivers appreciate speed camera warnings. The streets on which the police are currently checking speeds are regularly announced via radio or app. There is something similar with the 2022 tax return – at least in the most populous state of North Rhine-Westphalia.

Every year, the local tax administration provides information on the audit focuses of the local tax offices with the “List of central and decentralized audit areas”. It is sent to tax advisors and serves to “make work easier for both sides”. The tax administration expects that the “documents and information necessary to process the audit areas will be submitted” when the tax return is submitted, so that time-consuming inquiries from the tax office can be avoided.

This year, the focus is on two groups of people, and a third must at least be prepared for questions. There are also typical cases in the rest of the republic where tax offices take a closer look. The Handelsblatt explains what “speed camera warnings” there are when making a declaration for the 2022 tax year.