Field help: Have you paid dues for a trade union or professional association?

Select "yes" if you have made contributions to professional associations. Contributions to professional associations are deductible as income-related expenses. Not only the mandatory contributions to the professional association are deductible, but also voluntary payments.

The professional associations include but are not limited to the following associations:

• Trade unions (Gewerkschaften),
• Professional associations (Berufsgenossenschaften),
• Employers' organisation (Arbeitgebervereinigung),
• Marburger Bund (association of doctors),
• Tax consultants' association (Steuerberaterverband),
• Chamber of trade and crafts (Handwerkskammer),
• Medical Chamber (Ärztekammer),
• Chamber of Architects (Architektenkammer),
• Chamber of Lawyers (Rechtsanwaltkammer),
• Chamber of Tax Consultants (Steuerberaterkammer),
• Civil Service Association (Beamtenbund),
• University associations (Hochschulverband),
• Association of German Engineers (VDI)
• Industrial clubs,
• Association of Judges (Richterbund)

Political parties, on the other hand, are not professional associations. Private clubs such as the Rotary Club, sports clubs or carnival clubs are not professional associations either. You cannot claim contributions to the Tenants' Association (Mieterbund), the Taxpayers' Association (Bund der Steuerzahler), the Income Tax Assistance Union (Lohnsteuerhilfeverein) or automobile clubs.