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9.11.2023
Ing. Ladislav Luka, Fuel expert

Save Money By Doing European Taxes Properly

Taxes are mandatory payments businesses or individuals give to local, state, and national governments to help cover the cost of goods, social services, and activities. They have existed for many years to enable the provision of goods and services to citizens who may not have access to them. The government uses tax revenue to fund various projects, including education, infrastructure, national defense, and emergency.

Save Money By Doing European Taxes Properly

Although everyone pays taxes, each country has its unique system. This is why it can be so complicated to properly handle international taxes on your own. In this article, we will guide you through everything you need to know about how to save money by doing taxes properly when doing business across Europe.

Keys to Proper Tax Preparation

Whether you are filing your taxes as an individual or business owner, there are certain things you need to know when doing your taxes. They include the following; 

1. Pay Attention to Your Income 

When using a tax service, you should include all your income sources, from rentals to investment interest, etc.

2. Protect Your Paperwork 

To ensure a smooth preparation experience, you need to carefully keep track of all tax-related paperwork. This includes medical expenses, work expenses, investments, grants, student loans, etc., and should be done for at least three prior years. 

3. Look Out for the Arrival of Any Income Documents 

Your income documents should contain all of your income, both from your employer and other sources. Always ensure that you receive the form containing this information, including any tax withheld.

4. Focus on Your Credits and Deductions

You need the proper documentation to receive the right credits and deductions. This means that you will need information about your savings credit, student loan interest, charitable deductions, freelance expenses, etc. 

5. Do Not Miss Deadlines

If your tax documents arrive in January or February, you have at least two months to prepare a tax return before the due date. Plan early enough to allow for any follow-up sessions which may be necessary. Preparing your taxes on time will prevent theft and facilitate earlier receipt of your return.

6. File Your Tax Returns 

There are numerous options available to prepare and file a tax return. Online tax services can help with tax preparation, IRS forms, etc.

Multiple Countries, Multiple Tax Systems, Multiple Returns

If you own a business operating across multiple countries in Europe, there are several things you need to know when doing your taxes. First, be aware of the international tax laws governing business across Europe. This means that you should know how to file the proper taxes for each country in which you conduct business transactions. 

You should also know which proceeds are taxable, as well as when to file for a tax return in each country. When you do business in Europe, it is important to eliminate any tax issues that may arise, like double taxation or double non-taxation on cross-border profit distributions.

Key Differences in the Tax Systems of European Countries (SK, CZ, PL, DE)

There is no single ideal tax system for the whole world. Tax systems will vary from one country to another as a result of the different values and expectations within those cultures. Ultimately, however, the goal of every tax system should be to generate enough revenue to adequately serve the public. 

Equal tax payment does not apply to all countries due to the diversity of living situations in each. Even if there are equal tax rates because of the high tax base, people with low incomes will pay no tax at all. In Slovakia, for instance, 16% of the population pays no tax, while 19% pay a marginal tax rate. 

How Can You Save Money on Taxes?

There are different strategies available to help you save money on tax. These are some of the most effective ones: 

1. File Your Taxes Early 

To avoid hefty fines, you should ensure that you file for your taxes before the deadline. Different countries have different filing deadlines, which is why you should always check the applicable timeframes for each. 

2. Reduce Your Taxable Income 

One of the best ways to reduce taxable income and increase tax savings is by increasing your retirement account contributions. 

3. Keep Track of Your Expenses Including Your Travels

Keeping track of your expenses is important, especially if you are self-employed. This will help you claim your costs back, especially during self-assessment. Every little cost (travel, household, phone bills, etc.) involved in carrying out your job effectively can also save you hundreds of pounds if accounted for properly. 

4. Review Your Pension Allowance 

Higher pension taxpayers can get tax relief from contributions made. This can be done by increasing your pension while providing a steady income for your retirement. This way, if your annual pension allowance is lower than your contributions, you can make additional contributions that will help increase your income when you retire. 

5. Provide Charitable Donations

You can also extend your basic rate band and reduce payable tax when you make charitable donations. However, this only applies to financial gifts of less than £5k per year for individuals and £11k for married couples. 

What is a Tax Refund and How Does It Work?

A tax refund is a repayment made to a taxpayer as a result of the excess amount paid to the government as taxes. To taxpayers, this is a stroke of luck representing an interest-free loan made to the government and is essential to prevent overpaying your taxes.

Although VAT refunds are pleasant, taxpayers should avoid overpayment by calculating estimated taxes. The closer your refund is to zero, the more money you will have available during the year. 

How Can Eurowag Help You Save Money on Taxes?

Claiming tax refunds is a complicated procedure and is connected with many bureaucratic requirements and necessary knowledge. With the help of international tax services like Eurowag, you can file for your tax refund on time, get paid faster, and save money while at it. 

Eurowag will also ensure that foreign tax refunds are simple, with no unnecessary paperwork or stress. To save money on tax, you need fast, adaptable, flexible tax services like those offered by Eurowag. So contact us today, and let us help you get more from your tax returns.