Income declaration and tax refund for Ukrainians in Europe: clarification for Ukrainians
For many Ukrainians who were forced to move to Europe due to the war in Ukraine, life abroad brings many challenges. Along with issues of security, legalization of status and adaptation to new living conditions, financial aspects come to the fore, in particular, finding legal work and the need to understand local tax laws. In particular, one of the most important topics for those employed in European countries is the issue of income declaration and the possibility of returning overpaid taxes. This can be a significant financial support for people who find themselves in new conditions and are trying to optimize their financial opportunities.
The difficulty lies in the fact that the taxation rules in each country are different, and many Ukrainians face problems due to insufficient knowledge of the language, local laws or uncertainty about how to properly file a tax return. Often people don’t know that they can get a significant tax refund after filing the appropriate documents. In this material, we will consider what opportunities for tax refunds exist for Ukrainians working in various European countries, and provide detailed instructions on how to correctly prepare a declaration to receive your money back.
How not to lose your earned money?
Everyone who is already working or just planning to work abroad should understand the importance of official employment. Working illegally not only deprives you of legal protection, but also closes the possibility of receiving a tax refund. Official employment and receiving a salary in a bank account are mandatory conditions that allow you to legally manage your finances. For this, you need to pay attention to several important aspects:
- Avoid illegal work. Illegal employment not only deprives you of your employment rights, but also increases the risk of fines and deportation.
- Get payment information from your employer. These documents confirm your income and withheld taxes, which is necessary for filing a tax return.
Do I need to submit an income tax return?
In most European countries there is a requirement to submit an annual income declaration, even if you have worked temporarily or part-time for a year. This may apply even to cases where it is not necessary to officially submit a declaration. It is important to remember that filing a declaration can be beneficial for you. Due to the correct filing of the declaration, you can get back part of the overpaid taxes. This usually applies to those with low incomes or who can take advantage of tax breaks.
Where to get the necessary data to fill out the declaration?
To file your tax return, you will need annual statements from your employer showing your income and the amount of tax deducted. If you have experience and desire, you can try to fill out the declaration yourself. However, if you are not sure of your knowledge of the law or do not speak the local language at a sufficient level, you should contact specialists who will help you draw up all the necessary documents and submit the declaration correctly.
How long does it take to get a tax refund?
The deadline for processing tax returns and refunding overpaid taxes depends on the country in which you worked and the complexity of your tax situation. Usually, this process can take from two to six months. After the tax office has reviewed your return, you will be refunded the amount of overpaid taxes, which can be a significant financial support.
Will submitting a declaration affect social benefits?
The tax refund does not affect the receipt of social benefits that you may receive in the country concerned. This means that filing a return not only doesn’t hurt your social security benefits, but also allows you to legally get extra money in the form of a tax refund.
How to make sure that taxes are paid correctly?
Each country has its own tax system, and understanding all its nuances can be difficult. If you are not sure about the correctness of the taxes paid, it is recommended to contact tax consultants who specialize in helping foreign workers. They can check your payment information to make sure your deductions are correct and, if there are overpayments, help you file for a refund.
One of the largest companies specializing in tax returns for employees from other countries is RT TAX. This company has representative offices in more than 40 countries of the world and has already helped hundreds of thousands of employees to return overpaid taxes. In addition, they do not require upfront payments – you pay for their services only after a successful refund.
Reminder for Ukrainians:
According to Ukrainian legislation, even if you temporarily live abroad, but have a permanent place of residence in Ukraine, you still remain a tax resident of Ukraine. This means that you need to submit a tax return in Ukraine as well. Double taxation is a complex issue and can be avoided by special treaties between countries. You can learn more about this in our previous materials.
