Introduction: Why Application Costs Are a Tax Matter
Job seekers spend money. Application photos, printing costs, postage, travel expenses for interviews — or the investment in professional application documents. The good news: All of this is tax-deductible in Germany.
The German tax office recognises application costs as income-related expenses (Werbungskosten) under §9 EStG (German Income Tax Act). This applies regardless of whether you get the job or not — and regardless of whether you're applying from a current position or from unemployment.
Yet many applicants don't take advantage of this — either because they don't know what's deductible, or because they don't collect receipts. This article explains both.
What Are Application Costs?
Application costs are all expenses directly connected to your job search. The tax office interprets this broadly: Not only obvious costs like postage and application folders count, but also digital expenses, professional services, and travel costs.
What matters is the connection: The expense must demonstrably serve your job search. A new suit for the interview? Difficult, since it can also be worn privately. The train journey to the interview? Clearly deductible.
"Application costs are investments in your professional future — and the tax office contributes to them."
Legal basis: §9 EStG (German Income Tax Act)What Can You Deduct? — The Complete List
Here are the most important cost items you can claim as income-related expenses in your German tax return:
- Professional application services: Costs for CV writing, cover letters, application coaching — e.g. myjobhub packages
- Application photos: Photographer fees (including travel to the photo studio)
- Travel to interviews: EUR 0.30 per kilometre (one way) or actual costs for train/flight
- Accommodation costs: When the interview requires an overnight stay
- Postage and shipping: For written applications sent by post
- Application folders and printing: Paper, ink, folders, clear sleeves
- Phone costs: Proportional share for application-related calls
- Internet costs: Proportional share if you apply online (proof required)
- Professional literature and training: Books, online courses directly related to the application
- Work supplies: USB drives, printer cartridges, envelopes
Flat Rate or Itemised Receipts?
For postal applications, many German tax offices accept a flat rate of approx. EUR 8.50 per application (folder, printing, postage). For online applications, the accepted flat rate is approx. EUR 2.50 per application. If your actual costs are higher — e.g. due to a professional application service — itemised receipts are worth the effort.
How Much Do You Actually Save?
The savings depend on your personal tax rate. As a rule of thumb: You get back between 25% and 42% of your application costs through your tax return — depending on your income.
With a gross annual income of EUR 45,000, the marginal tax rate is around 35%. That means: From EUR 500 in application costs, you get back approximately EUR 175. For higher incomes, the rate rises to up to 42% (plus solidarity surcharge and, where applicable, church tax).
Important: Application costs are only considered if they, together with your other income-related expenses, exceed the employee lump-sum deduction (Arbeitnehmer-Pauschbetrag) of EUR 1,230 (as of 2026). If you already have commuting costs, training expenses, or other income-related deductions, you'll reach this threshold quickly.
Sample Calculation: What an Application Process Costs — and What You Get Back
Example: 10 Applications with Professional Service
| myjobhub Pro Package (CV + cover letter + optimisation) | EUR 249 |
| Professional application photos | EUR 85 |
| 2 trips to interviews (120 km each) | EUR 72 |
| 1 overnight stay (interview in another city) | EUR 95 |
| 8 online applications (flat rate at EUR 2.50 each) | EUR 20 |
| 2 postal applications (flat rate at EUR 8.50 each) | EUR 17 |
| Total deductible application costs | EUR 538 |
At a marginal tax rate of 35%, this results in a tax refund of approx. EUR 188. That means the Pro Package effectively costs you not EUR 249, but around EUR 162.
Receipts and Proof — What the Tax Office Wants to See
The tax office requires receipts for itemised claims. Start collecting them from the beginning — gathering everything after the fact is often difficult.
- Invoices: For every application service, photographer, printing service, etc. Your myjobhub invoice is automatically sent via email and available in your portal.
- Mileage log or summary: Date, destination, purpose, and kilometres for each trip to an interview
- Invitation letters: Copies of interview invitations as proof for travel and accommodation costs
- Application overview: A list of all applications with date, company, and type (online/postal) — especially when using the flat rate
- Bank statements: As additional proof for digital payments
The myjobhub Invoice as Proof
Every booking at myjobhub automatically generates a proper invoice with a detailed service description. You can use this invoice directly as proof for income-related expenses in your tax return — under "application costs" or "other income-related expenses" (sonstige Werbungskosten).
No Tax Advice
This article is for general information purposes only and does not constitute individual tax advice. The flat rates and regulations mentioned may change. If in doubt, consult a tax adviser (Steuerberater) or your local tax office (Finanzamt).
Deducting application costs isn't a secret tip — it's your legal right. Those who collect receipts and claim them properly get a significant portion of their investment back.
Conclusion: Investing in Your Application Pays Off Twice
Professional application documents increase your chances of getting an interview — and the costs are tax-deductible. This makes investing in an application service doubly worthwhile: better documents and a partial refund through your taxes.
Our tip: Start systematically documenting all application costs now. Create a folder (physical or digital), collect invoices, note down trips — and include everything in your next tax return. For more information on the costs of professional application help, see our article Having Your Application Written — What Does It Cost?
Professional Applications — Tax-Deductible
Our packages come with a proper invoice. Your tax office contributes to the investment.
View All Packages → Free Deep Check