Entering tax-free allowances - is it worth it?
"Yes, because this way you pay less tax each month and don't have to wait until the following year's tax return to get your refund. You can find out what allowances there are and who is entitled to them on the Internet: www.steuerklassen.com/steuerfreibetrag"
Capital-forming benefits - what applies here?
"If your employer pays capital-forming benefits (VL), or if you are entitled to an allowance, you can conclude a VL contract to collect the state allowance. You should do this now so that your employer's accounts department still has time to transfer the contribution. This year already counts as one of the seven years that such a contract must exist in order to receive allowances."
Exemption orders - why check in any case?
"The bank deducts 25 percent withholding tax from your investment income. You can prevent this deduction with an exemption order - which must of course always be updated to reflect your situation. This means that investment income up to 801 euros remains tax-free, or 1,602 euros for married couples."
What should I think about as a building society saver?
"People often forget to fill out the application for the housing subsidy and send it back to the building society. You can still apply for the housing bonus for 2015 until the end of 2017. If you take out a new home loan and savings contract this year, it will count in full towards the seven years it has to run in order to receive the premium."
Educational leave not taken - what now?
"You can carry over your unused training leave from 2017 to the following year. However, this must be requested in writing from your employer."
Changing health insurance - why now?
"At the beginning of December, the statutory health insurance companies set the additional contributions for 2018. If your contributions increase, compare them with others and switch if necessary."
What about vouchers that I've had for a long time?
"As a rule, these are valid for 3 years. So it's best to redeem those from 2015 quickly now."