More and more people in Germany work remotely. Some days the home office is perfect. On other days, a quiet desk outside the house — in a coworking space — helps you focus, keep work and private life separate, and simply get more done. If you pay for that desk yourself and use it for your job, here is some good news: the cost may be tax deductible. In this article we explain, in plain language, what that actually means, when it may apply, and what to keep in mind. (This is general information, not tax advice — always confirm your own case with a tax advisor.)
What does „tax deductible“ actually mean?
Let's clear up the biggest misunderstanding first: deductible does not mean the Finanzamt (the German tax office) sends you the full price of your desk back.
Instead, the cost lowers your taxable income — the part of your income that tax is actually calculated on. Less taxable income usually means less tax.
How much it helps depends on your tax rate. As a rough rule of thumb: at around 30%, every €100 of work-related expenses saves you about €30 in tax. Your real rate may be higher or lower, so treat the number as a ballpark.
Can employees deduct coworking costs?
In short: yes, under certain conditions. Costs clearly connected to your job count in Germany as work-related expenses („Werbungskosten“) and belong in your yearly tax return.
For your coworking desk, two things matter most: you pay for it yourself, and you use it for work. If both are true and your employer doesn't already reimburse the cost tax-free, it may count as Werbungskosten.
The appeal compared with working only from home: the home-office allowance (Homeoffice-Pauschale) is capped at €1,260 a year. A coworking space sits outside your home and is usually treated differently — the cost may qualify as an external, work-related expense, as long as you document it properly.
Two quick worked examples
What does that look like in euros? Two rounded examples: a dedicated desk at €350 a month is €4,200 a year, and a flex desk at €200 a month is €2,400 a year.
You can declare these amounts as work-related expenses, on the conditions above. Remember: you don't get the money back — you lower your taxable income.
At a roughly 30% tax rate, that could work out to around €1,260 less tax for the dedicated desk and about €720 for the flex desk. Simplified figures, not a promise — your result depends on your situation.
What matters — and the proof to keep
Your chances are good if you pay for the desk yourself, use it for work, your employer doesn't reimburse it tax-free, and private use stays the exception.
The rest comes down to clean documentation. It's best to collect:
• your contract or membership agreement
• monthly invoices and payment proof, such as bank statements
• your booking or usage history, especially for a flex desk
• if possible, a short confirmation from your employer that remote work is allowed
Dedicated desk or flex desk?
Both work for tax purposes. A dedicated desk is often easier to document, because it's permanently yours. With a flex desk, your booking history does that job instead — a good reason to simply keep the confirmations.
The „May be tax deductible“ badge
On some of our desks you'll see exactly this badge. It's a reminder of the core idea: if you pay yourself and work there, the cost may belong in your tax return. For your specific case, it's best to check briefly with your tax advisor.
This article is for general information only and is not tax advice. Tax treatment depends on your personal situation. Please speak with a tax advisor or a Lohnsteuerhilfeverein (income tax assistance association) about your own case.
The takeaway
A coworking desk can be more than a nicer place to work: if you pay for it yourself and use it for your job, it may lower your taxable income. It's not a guarantee — but with the right receipts and a quick check with your tax advisor, it can be a sum that's well worth doing.
Curious to try it? Explore our dedicated desk and flex desk options and find the workspace that fits the way you work.
Explore our desks →