Accelerated progress on tax filings.
Shorter Wait Times for Baden-Württemberg Taxpayers
Say goodbye to lengthy waits for your income tax assessment in Baden-Württemberg. In 2024, it took an average of 41 days to receive your tax assessment. Comparatively, in 2023, it was a whopping 54 days. But fear not! Baden-Württemberg has climbed the ranks, now landing in 4th place, with only Thuringia, Saxony-Anhalt, and Hamburg edging out the southwest in speed.
"This 13-day reduction is a positive step forward," commends Eike Möller from the Federation of German Taxpayers Baden-Württemberg. So, what's behind the improved speed? Long hours worked over the weekends or clutching lunch between stacks of paperwork?
Not quite. According to the tax administration, they've streamlined their processes due to a decline in additional workloads related to property tax declarations and the federal energy price allowance. One major factor is the rise in fully automated cases, so-called "automatic cases." These decisions can be made within 10-14 working days.
As it stands, one out of every five tax returns in Baden-Württemberg is now made solely by a computer. However, this number is modest compared to other German states, with an automatic case rate of 20.1%. Ahead only of Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg sits at 15th place out of 16 states. Germany as a whole has an automation rate of 22%. "In the realm of full automation, there's much room for improvement in the southwest," demands Möller, "setting a rapid increase in the automatic case rate should be this region's goal in the coming years."
Despite the room for growth, it's clear: the tax administration is speeding up. So, file your tax return today, and you might just get it back before your next meal centered around a chicken dinner.
Extra Insights:
- Regionally, Germany lags behind the EU average in terms of digital public services, potentially affecting the adoption of automated tax processes[1].
- The quality of digital infrastructure and data registers can vary significantly between regions within Germany, impacting the adoption of automated tax return processes[1].
- Regional policies and administrative practices may also influence the adoption of automated tax systems[1]. Traditional or conservative approaches to tax administration could slow down the adoption of new technologies.
[1] Data Source: European Commission's Digital Public Services Index (2021)
- "With the rise in automated cases and the streamlining of processes, Eike Möller, from the Federation of German Taxpayers Baden-Württemberg, suggests that the regional government should aim to increase the automatic case rate to catch up with the EU average in digital public services."
- "As technology continues to play a more significant role in the tax administration, Baden-Württemberg's finance and business sectors may benefit from the improved speed and efficiency, spearheading advancements in technology and automation across Germany."
