---
title: Flight costs and their tax treatment
description: If you go on business trips often by plane, then you must have wondered if you can claim the flight costs in your tax return as tax deductible.
---

[Skip to content](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/flight-costs-and-their-tax-treatment#main-content)

English

Show submenu for translations

[Contact us](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/kb-tickets/new) [Sign in](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/_hcms/mem/login?redirect_url=https%3A%2F%2Fservice.consultinghouse.eu%2Fen%2Fknowledge%2Fflight-costs-and-their-tax-treatment)

![Consultinghouse-Market-Entry-Germany (1)-1.png\]](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/hs-fs/hubfs/Consultinghouse-Market-Entry-Germany%20(1)-1.png?height=40&name=Consultinghouse-Market-Entry-Germany%20(1)-1.png)

- [Home page](https://mein.consultinghouse.eu/de/arbeit-und-freizeit-perfekt-im-einklang)
- [About Us](https://mein.consultinghouse.eu/de/arbeit-und-freizeit-perfekt-im-einklang)
- [Consultinghouse](https://blog.consultinghouse.eu/advisory)

Open main navigation

Close main navigation

- [Home page](https://mein.consultinghouse.eu/de/arbeit-und-freizeit-perfekt-im-einklang)
- [About Us](https://mein.consultinghouse.eu/de/arbeit-und-freizeit-perfekt-im-einklang)
- [Consultinghouse](https://blog.consultinghouse.eu/advisory)
- English
  
  Show submenu for translations
- [Contact us](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/kb-tickets/new)
- [Sign in](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/_hcms/mem/login?redirect_url=https%3A%2F%2Fservice.consultinghouse.eu%2Fen%2Fknowledge%2Fflight-costs-and-their-tax-treatment)
- Contact us

 Contact us

 Hello. How can we help you?

- There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.

1. [Help Center](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge)
2. [Taxes in Germany](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/taxes-in-germany)
3. [Employees in Germany](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/taxes-in-germany#employees-in-germany)

# Flight costs and their tax treatment

## If you go on business trips often by plane, then you must have wondered if you can claim the flight costs in your tax return as tax deductible.

This is indeed possible in some cases such that you can actually deduct the expenses for your business flights from the tax. This is because the aircraft in itself, is a means of transport like all others and the costs are not to be treated in a tax-discriminatory manner.

### In these cases, you may specify flight costs in your tax return as professional expenses

You can either have a tax-free reimbursement from your employer or you may claim it as a professional expense on Appendix N of your tax return. In any case, the flights concerned must be purely professional and you should be able to prove that to the tax office. Flights that are necessary during your activities as a result of double budget management are also deductible. In principle, it doesn't matter which means of transport you use for your weekly journey home. At best, the rule is that flight costs should be proportionate. It will therefore be difficult to put first-class flights in the tax return as an expense for double budget management.

### Tax treatment of private flights with business planes

Again, the situation is different if you are using an airplane from your company for private flights. If you are an employee of a company, where the private use of company aircraft is allowed, then you as an employer have a taxable wag which you must indicate in your tax return, in order to avoid trouble with the tax authorities. If you are a shareholder of a company and you use the company aircraft for private purposes, then it is treated differently. In other words, the use of the aircraft is a private withdrawal, which has to be recorded in terms of accounting and which has an impact on the company's income.

No matter what kind of purpose an airplane serves, in case of ambiguity about how you should deal with it in your tax return, the use of professional assistance is advisable in any case. Both tax consultants and income tax assistance union can help you with the correct completion of your tax return, so that you always stay on the safe side with the tax office. The resulting costs can as well be deducted in the following year.

- [Start a company in Germany](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/start-a-company-in-germany#main-content)
  
  
  
  
  
    - [German company bank account](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/start-a-company-in-germany#german-company-bank-account)
    - [Shareholder structure of my new German company](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/start-a-company-in-germany#shareholder-structure-of-my-new-german-company)
    - [Business registers in Germany](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/start-a-company-in-germany#business-registers-in-germany)
    - [Ready made company in Germany](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/start-a-company-in-germany#ready-made-company-in-germany)
    - [Responsibilities of a company in Germany](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/start-a-company-in-germany#responsibilities-of-a-company-in-germany)
- [Company Administration](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/company-administration#main-content)
  
  
  
  
  
    - [Virtual office & German company address](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/company-administration#virtual-office-german-company-address)
    - [Liquidation of a German company](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/company-administration#liquidation-of-a-german-company)
    - [Changing the legal type of a German company](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/company-administration#changing-the-legal-type-of-a-german-company)
    - [German company registration numbers](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/company-administration#german-company-registration-numbers)
    - [Parent company & Intercompany transactions](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/company-administration#parent-company-intercompany-transactions)
- [Business in Germany](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/business-in-germany#main-content)
  
  
  
  
  
    - [German business etiquette](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/business-in-germany#german-business-etiquette)
    - [Representation office in Germany](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/business-in-germany#representation-office-in-germany)
    - [Self employment & Freelancing](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/business-in-germany#self-employment-freelancing)
- [Employing in Germany](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/employing-in-germany#main-content)
  
  
  
  
  
    - [Employing as a foreign company in Germany](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/employing-in-germany#employing-as-a-foreign-company-in-germany)
    - [Employing talent outside of Germany with a German Company](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/employing-in-germany#employing-talent-outside-of-germany-with-a-german-company)
    - [Typical employee benefits in Germany](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/employing-in-germany#typical-employee-benefits-in-germany)
    - [Public Health Insurance in Germany](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/employing-in-germany#public-health-insurance-in-germany)
    - [Digital Employment Certificate](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/employing-in-germany#digital-employment-certificate)
    - [Parental Leave](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/employing-in-germany#parental-leave)
    - [Social Insurance In Germany](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/employing-in-germany#social-insurance-in-germany)
    - [Private Pension Fund](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/employing-in-germany#private-pension-fund)
    - [Payment of employees in Germany](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/employing-in-germany#payment-of-employees-in-germany)
    - [Employer cost in Germany](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/employing-in-germany#employer-cost-in-germany)
    - [Social security & pension](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/employing-in-germany#social-security-pension)
    - [Employment contracts in Germany](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/employing-in-germany#employment-contracts-in-germany)
    - [Minijob](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/employing-in-germany#minijob)
    - [Posting of employees to another country](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/employing-in-germany#posting-of-employees-to-another-country)
    - [Accident Insurance](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/employing-in-germany#accident-insurance)
- [Accounting in Germany](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/accounting-in-germany#main-content)
  
  
  
  
  
    - [German Invoices](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/accounting-in-germany#german-invoices)
    - [German Chart of Accounts](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/accounting-in-germany#german-chart-of-accounts)
    - [Private financial contributions](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/accounting-in-germany#private-financial-contributions)
    - [Cash Book Accounting](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/accounting-in-germany#cash-book-accounting)
    - [German VAT accounting](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/accounting-in-germany#german-vat-accounting)
    - [Expense Management in Germany](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/accounting-in-germany#expense-management-in-germany)
    - [Accounting practices](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/accounting-in-germany#accounting-practices)
    - [One Stop Shop / Ecommerce](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/accounting-in-germany#one-stop-shop-ecommerce)
    - [Publication of numbers & reports](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/accounting-in-germany#publication-of-numbers-reports)
    - [Collaboration with a German accountant](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/accounting-in-germany#collaboration-with-a-german-accountant)
- [Payroll in Germany](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/payroll-in-germany#main-content)
  
  
  
  
  
    - [Payroll setup in Germany](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/payroll-in-germany#payroll-setup-in-germany)
    - [Employing as a foreign company in Germany](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/payroll-in-germany#employing-as-a-foreign-company-in-germany)
    - [Payroll regulations in Germany](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/payroll-in-germany#payroll-regulations-in-germany)
    - [Required numbers to run payroll in Germany](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/payroll-in-germany#required-numbers-to-run-payroll-in-germany)
    - [German payroll reports](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/payroll-in-germany#german-payroll-reports)
    - [German payroll & income tax](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/payroll-in-germany#german-payroll-income-tax)
    - [German Payroll Tax Calendar](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/payroll-in-germany#german-payroll-tax-calendar)
    - [Payroll Accounting changes 2023](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/payroll-in-germany#payroll-accounting-changes-2023)
    - [Digital Sick leave report](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/payroll-in-germany#digital-sick-leave-report)
    - [How to manage employee sick leaves in Germany](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/payroll-in-germany#how-to-manage-employee-sick-leaves-in-germany)
    - [Government benefits & contributions](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/payroll-in-germany#government-benefits-contributions)
    - [Payroll income taxes in Germany](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/payroll-in-germany#payroll-income-taxes-in-germany)
    - [Car Company Benefit & 1% Rule](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/payroll-in-germany#car-company-benefit-1-rule)
    - [Sick leave Employer Liability](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/payroll-in-germany#sick-leave-employer-liability)
    - [Pension Insurance](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/payroll-in-germany#pension-insurance)
- [Taxes in Germany](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/taxes-in-germany#main-content)
  
  
  
  
  
    - [Employees in Germany](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/taxes-in-germany#employees-in-germany)
    - [German VAT](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/taxes-in-germany#german-vat)
    - [German Company Taxes](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/taxes-in-germany#german-company-taxes)
    - [Company Benefits & Expenditures](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/taxes-in-germany#company-benefits-expenditures)
    - [German Tax numbers](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/taxes-in-germany#german-tax-numbers)
    - [German VAT Programs](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/taxes-in-germany#german-vat-programs)
    - [German tax calendar](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/taxes-in-germany#german-tax-calendar)
    - [Mergers & Acquisitions](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/taxes-in-germany#mergers-acquisitions)
    - [German Taxes](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/taxes-in-germany#german-taxes)
    - [GERMAN TAXATION OF PROPERTY](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/taxes-in-germany#german-taxation-of-property)
    - [German tax return](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/taxes-in-germany#german-tax-return)
    - [German customs duties and import regulations](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/taxes-in-germany#german-customs-duties-and-import-regulations)
- [MyDashboard App](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/mydashboard-app#main-content)
  
  
  
  
  
    - [My Accounting Service](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/mydashboard-app#my-accounting-service)
    - [My Payroll Service](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/mydashboard-app#my-payroll-service)
    - [My Users](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/mydashboard-app#my-users)
    - [CFO Portal](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/mydashboard-app#cfo-portal)
    - [Document Management](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/mydashboard-app#document-management)
    - [Quick Start Guide](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/mydashboard-app#quick-start-guide)
- [Data management & exchange](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/data-management-exchange#main-content)
  
  
  
  
  
    - [Accounting Data](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/data-management-exchange#accounting-data)
    - [Amazon & eCommerce](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/data-management-exchange#amazon-ecommerce)
    - [Working with Xero in Germany](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/data-management-exchange#working-with-xero-in-germany)
- [Liquidate a company in Germany](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/liquidate-a-company-in-germany)
- [German Company forms](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/german-company-forms#main-content)
  
  
  
  
  
    - [The German GmbH](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/german-company-forms#the-german-gmbh)
    - [The "Mini" GmbH](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/german-company-forms#the-mini-gmbh)
    - [The GmbH & Co.KG](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/german-company-forms#the-gmbh-co-kg)
    - [The Joint Stock Company](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/german-company-forms#the-joint-stock-company)
    - [The Limited Partnership](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/german-company-forms#the-limited-partnership)
    - [The General Partnership](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/german-company-forms#the-general-partnership)
    - [The German branch office](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/german-company-forms#the-german-branch-office)
    - [The German permanent establishment](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/german-company-forms#the-german-permanent-establishment)
    - [The German representative office](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/en/knowledge/german-company-forms#the-german-representative-office)

- [Home page](https://mein.consultinghouse.eu/de/arbeit-und-freizeit-perfekt-im-einklang)
- [About Us](https://mein.consultinghouse.eu/de/arbeit-und-freizeit-perfekt-im-einklang)
- [Consultinghouse](https://blog.consultinghouse.eu/advisory)

[![Chill listening crop-3](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/hs-fs/hubfs/images/logos/Consultinghouse%20Market%20Entry%20Germany%20Logo.png?width=212&height=24&name=Consultinghouse%20Market%20Entry%20Germany%20Logo.png "Chill listening crop-3")](https://service.consultinghouse.eu/knowledge)

All articles on this page are for information purposes only.

<https://www.linkedin.com/company/consultinghouse-market-entry-germany> <https://www.facebook.com/HowToGermany/>

Copyright © 2026, Consultinghouse