Here’s a simple explanation of what actually happens during a tax audit (Betriebsprüfung) 👇
Usually, the tax office (Finanzamt) will contact you in writing.
The letter will state:
Which types of taxes are being audited (e.g. income tax, VAT, trade tax),
Which years are affected,
When and where the audit will take place.
📅 You normally get one to two weeks’ notice before the audit starts.
Time to get your documents in order!
The auditor will typically ask to see:
Your bookkeeping records, invoices, and receipts
Bank statements
Tax returns and assessments
Possibly mileage logs, contracts, or cash books
If you use a tool like Accountable, you’re already in a good position — all your receipts are stored digitally and easy to access 📂✅ Find out how to export them easily.
The auditor may:
Visit you (or your tax advisor) in person, or
Perform a digital audit (this is becoming more common).
Their main goal is to verify whether your income, expenses, and tax declarations are accurate and complete.
Once the audit is complete, you’ll receive a written audit report:
If everything checks out → ✅ Great news, no changes!
If the auditor finds issues → You may need to pay additional taxes or receive a refund.
For small discrepancies, they’ll usually just ask for clarification or minor corrections. For major ones, the tax office may charge interest on the difference.
Stay calm 😌 — a tax audit doesn’t automatically mean you did something wrong.
Keep all receipts and documents organized and accessible.
If you’re unsure, a tax advisor can help represent you during the audit.
We assist all our clients in case of a tax audit.
How? In 2 ways:
With the data export: very clear and comprehensive, making it easier for your auditor.
Through our accounting partners: they provide the support you need for your audit.
Please note: this service is not included in the subscription. It is part of our on-demand services.
Contact us if you have any question, we make ourselves available for you.
Author - Valesca Wilms
As content marketing lead at Accountable Belgium, Valesca writes about freelancing, self-employment, and taxes based on her own experience as a freelancer.
Who is Valesca ?Thank you for your feedback!
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