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Tax trap for many: This is how authorities take action against financial fraud!
Find out which reports the tax office can pass on to social authorities, pension insurance and municipalities and how you can protect yourself from them.
Tax trap for many: This is how authorities take action against financial fraud!
On March 15, 2025, a tax expert provided information about the different ways authorities can share financial information between themselves. How Chip.de reported, the tax office can obtain detailed information about the financial circumstances of those receiving citizen's allowance or parental allowance, as well as pensioners. Under certain circumstances, this can lead to reclaims or cancellation of social benefits.
Citizens who receive citizen's benefit must be aware that the tax office can report high income or assets to the responsible job center. For those receiving parental allowance, an income check is carried out based on the income tax assessments submitted by the parents. If the parental allowance office suspects incorrect information, it can also request data from the tax office.
Data transmission to various locations
Regarding the transmission of pension income, the tax expert noted that the tax office transfers it to the Central Office for Retirement Assets of the German Pension Insurance. This is especially true for pensioners who earn additional income or work. Irregularities can result in subsequent inspections, while if the information is incorrect, the tax office can request additional tax payments, which can result in high interest years later.
In addition, the tax office can forward information about non-German citizens to the immigration authorities if there is suspicion of tax offenses. This particularly affects holders of visas or residence permits with an obligation to provide proof of income. If tax fraud is suspected or false information on the residence permit can be given, this can have a significant impact on the residence status.
The article also points out that cases of tax evasion and illegal employment are referred to the tax investigation or public prosecutor's office. Reports to the customs Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) are required if money laundering is suspected.
Additionally reported Lawyer.de on the automatic exchange of information between financial authorities in the EU, promoted through directives. Banks are required to report account information to national tax authorities as part of the Common Reporting Standard (CRS). Even if the tax office does not have direct access to all account information, it can make inquiries to the banks if tax evasion is suspected. This plays a central role in international cooperation to combat tax evasion.
Self-disclosure in tax law, regulated by Section 371 of the Tax Code (AO), enables taxpayers to correct incorrect information. In order to remain unpunished, all relevant information must be honestly disclosed and repayments of evaded taxes must be made on time.