ELSTER
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Signature cards for authentication

Important notes on the supported signature cards

  • For signature cards, the login or authenticated submission of tax data is rejected with an error message if "UNKNOWN" is returned in the response to the OCSP status query for a signature card.
    The error message is"081005271: The certificate has been revoked by the issuer and is therefore no longer valid.", as the "UNKNOWN" status is treated as a revocation of the signature card by the issuer for security reasons.

    If the Login or the authenticated submission of tax data is rejected with the above error message, although you have not blocked your signature card with your certification service provider, please contact your certification service provider directly to solve the problem.

    Holders of DATEV signature cards can find further information in such cases at www.datev.de/info-db/1046096.

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The signature cards for authentication of the following issuers or Trustcenters are currently supported:

In line with the recommendations of the BSI and the Federal Network Agency, ELSTER recommends the use of signature cards for authentication with a key length of 2048 bits and the SHA256 hash algorithm to ensure a long-term level of security. If you have any questions about this, please contact the issuer of your signature card for authentication.

Notes

  • As the driver manufacturer "OpenLimit" is insolvent, new configurations with this driver are no longer possible. This applies in particular to signature cards from the Federal Chamber of Notaries, which for this reason cannot currently be used for new installations.
  • Before purchasing a new signature card, please contact your issuer to find out which drivers can be used with ELSTER and any associated follow-up costs. Unfortunately, ELSTER cannot guarantee the functionality of the drivers. Responsibility for the functionality of the drivers offered lies solely with the respective issuer.
  • Signature cards for authentication with pseudonyms are expressly not supported!

Detailed information on data security at ELSTER can be found in the help Show help for term.