Au pair costs on your tax return – what may be deductible

An au pair costs money.

Taschengeld (pocket money), insurance, board and lodging, and possibly a placement fee – over the course of a year, various costs add up.

Which raises a rather obvious question:

Can I actually claim part of the cost of my au pair on my tax return?

The good news:

In principle, yes.

Because an au pair with a host family typically covers two areas that can be relevant for tax purposes: childcare and light household tasks.

Childcare costs can be considered for tax purposes

If your au pair looks after your children, the corresponding expenses can, in principle, be relevant as Kinderbetreuungskosten (childcare costs).

Since 2025, under the statutory conditions, 80 per cent of eligible Kinderbetreuungskosten can be claimed as Sonderausgaben (special expenses) – up to 4,800 euros per child per year.

For most children, an age limit of 14 applies.

For a child with a disability, there is an important exception to this age limit under certain conditions.

For our host families in particular, it can therefore be worth discussing this topic in more detail with a tax adviser or the Finanzamt.

An au pair looks after children – and helps around the house

What is special about an au pair is this:

They are not there exclusively for childcare.

Their tasks can also include light household duties – for example laying the table, helping to tidy up after meals, or other light tasks connected with everyday family life.

And this part, too, can be relevant for tax purposes.

This is where the so-called haushaltsnahe Dienstleistungen (household-related services) come into play.

Under the relevant conditions, a tax reduction may also be available for such expenses.

How are the costs split?

This is exactly the interesting question when it comes to an au pair.

Because how much of their work counts as childcare, and how much as light housework?

The tax authorities are well aware of exactly this situation.

Where both childcare and light housework are part of the au pair arrangement and the respective share is not otherwise documented, the tax administration's rules provide for options for a flat-rate split.

In other words:

An au pair arrangement is certainly a tax topic that families should not simply overlook.

However, exactly how the split and recognition work in your individual case should be clarified with your tax adviser or the relevant Finanzamt.

Very important: do not pay in cash

Anyone wanting au pair costs to be considered for tax purposes should pay attention to proper documentation from the very start.

In particular, payments should be traceable.

For tax recognition of the relevant expenses, payment into a bank account plays an important role.

One more good reason, then, not to simply hand over the au pair's Taschengeld in cash each month.

Also keep the au pair contract and the relevant proof of payment carefully.

And what about insurance, board and the placement fee?

Further costs arise around an au pair.

Which of these, and to what amount, can be included among the tax-deductible expenses depends on the specific item and your personal tax situation.

For this reason, we deliberately do not want to make a blanket statement here.

Take all of your au pair costs to your tax adviser and have them check which items can be considered in your individual case.

A closer look is especially worthwhile for families with a child with a disability

Many of our host families take on an au pair because their everyday family life involves a higher need for support.

Alongside possible benefits from other areas, the tax treatment of au pair costs can therefore be one more building block that families should be aware of.

This is not about the Finanzamt "paying for the au pair".

But if part of the costs you incur anyway can be considered for tax purposes, this option should not go unused.

Our tip from Besondere Sterne

The next time you do your tax return, ask your tax adviser specifically about your au pair.

Mention these two keywords:

Kinderbetreuungskosten and haushaltsnahe Dienstleistungen.

Keep your au pair contract and proof of payment, and pay the Taschengeld traceably into your au pair's bank account.

Because taking on an au pair means investing in relief and support for the whole family.

And if part of these costs can be considered for tax purposes, it is worth at least having this option checked.