What costs are incurred for an appeal?

The tax office is not allowed to charge any fees for the review – even if the supposed error turns out to be correct in the end. Therefore, an objection usually does not result in any disadvantages for you (exception: "deterioration").

After the objection has been submitted, the tax authority will review the notice thoroughly. The caseworker will first decide whether the objection is admissible. An objection may be admissible but unfounded and therefore rejected. If the tax office agrees with you on all the points raised in your objection, you will receive a new corrected tax notice at the end of the objection procedure.

Unfortunately, not every objection is successful. However, all is not lost. Within one month of receiving the objection decision, you can file a legal action with the relevant tax court. In this case, you should be represented by a specialist tax lawyer.

The supreme financial authorities of the federal and state governments take the view that an objection can also be lodged by simple e-mail. This view is confirmed by the clarifying amendment to section 357 (1) of the Fiscal Code in the E-Government Act of 25 July 2013.