Deadline for self-employed paper tax returns is fast approaching in Czechia

Self-employed people in Czechia have one last week to submit their income tax returns for the previous year in paper form. However, the deadline for those with data boxes – who this year can only submit their tax return electronically – is not until May 2.

If you were self-employed in 2023, did business for some of the year, and earned over CZK 50,000 for the whole year from self-employed activities, you will need to submit a tax return.

Regional tax authorities have announced that they will extend their office hours to accommodate the expected influx of submissions in the final week. This extension will be in effect from today until April 2, with offices open on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. However, taxpayers should note that the offices will be closed on Friday, March 29, and Monday, April 1, due to public holidays. 

People can obtain tax return forms at any tax office branch, or download them from the State Financial Administration (FS) website or the Moje daně (May Taxes) portal. As of March 17, the FS has received 878,000 tax returns, representing 31 percent of the estimated total number of returns expected for this year. 

Last year, the Financial Administration received a record 2.9 million tax returns, with two-thirds of them being filed electronically. The administration expects electronic submissions to continue to dominate this year.

Taxpayers also have the option to file their returns through a financial advisor or lawyer, with a submission deadline of July 3. This same deadline applies to companies required to have their financial statements verified by an auditor.

The Financial Administration has also reminded taxpayers of the penalties for late or non-submission of tax returns. If a return is submitted five working days late, there is no penalty. 

However, subsequent penalties for each day of delay are 0.05 percent of the total tax to be paid. The maximum penalty is 5 percent. If a return is not submitted at all, even after a request from the authority, the fine is a minimum of CZK 500 and a maximum of CZK 300,000.