Deduct chimney sweep bill: Here's how

Owners and tenants can deduct the costs of chimney sweep services. The United Income Tax Assistance Service explains how this works and what to consider.

This article is part of the special topic Tax bonus for tradesmen's invoices: What you should know

The tax office generally accepts all chimney sweep services provided in connection with a private household as tax-deductible tradesman services. The entire spectrum of chimney sweep activities is tax-deductible: This ranges from sweeping, cleaning, and maintenance work to measuring and inspection services, as well as fireplace inspections and legionella testing.

The same rules apply to chimney sweeping activities as to other household tradesmen’s services

• 20 percent of the travel, labor, machinery, disposal and consumable costs (e.g. expenses for cleaning products) can be deducted.
• A maximum of 1.200 euros per year can be claimed as tax deductions for tradesman services.
• Material costs are not included. Therefore, the various cost types must be listed separately on the invoice. 
• The invoice amount should always be transferred. Cash payments are not accepted by the tax office.
• Additional costs: Tenants can also deduct expenses for chimney sweeps

For tenants: Not only homeowners or apartment owners benefit from this deductibility. Tenants can also claim chimney sweep costs, which are allocated to all tenants via the landlord's utility bill, as tax deductions. However, such eligible expenses must be clearly stated in the utility bill, or a corresponding, unambiguous certification from the landlord must be provided.

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Source: United Income Tax Assistance Association (VLH)