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You have various options for submitting your tax returns, applications and messages to the tax office electronically.

My ELSTER

The online tax office allows you to complete and submit forms, for example your income tax return, VAT, an objection and much more, simply using your internet browser. Your personal area at Mein ELSTER offers an inbox, saving drafts and numerous other useful services.
You need an ELSTER user account to access it. Create user account

simplyELSTERplus

simplyELSTERplus is suitable for people who live in Germany, have an ELSTER user account, are employees, do not wish to declare details of children and want to complete their income tax return themselves.

With simplyELSTERplus, filing your tax return becomes a new experience: instead of complicated forms, you can expect a modern, user-friendly interface with a clear, guided process that leads you step by step through the tax return. More Information

Try it out - free of charge, secure and surprisingly simple. Start now with simplyELSTERplus.

einfachElster

einfachElster is especially for pensioners and retirees: here you can submit your income tax return quickly and easily. A guided dialog guides you step by step through the paperless preparation of your tax return. More Information

The meinElster+ app for mobile devices

With MeinELSTER+, you can take photos of all your important receipts (e.g., invoices from contractors, donation receipts, etc.) for your next tax return and upload them to your ELSTER user account.
This way, you’ll have your receipts right at your fingertips when you need them, for example, for your income tax return.


The "One-Click Tax Return" feature allows users with simple tax situations to file their income tax return for the 2025 calendar year in just a few minutes. meinElster+ uses existing data and standard rates to do this. You’ll automatically receive a tax proposal that you can review and confirm directly in the app or adjust as needed.


In addition to the document entry features, you also have access to the "Inbox" in Mein ELSTER and can submit forms for submitting documents and "Other Messages to the Tax Office" directly from within the app. More Information

The ElsterSecure app for mobile devices

ElsterSecure offers you the option of logging in to ELSTER using your mobile device (smartphone, Tablet). This also applies to services that support the ELSTER user account for Login. A certificate file is then no longer required. This means you can access your private area of Mein ELSTER from anywhere. More Information

Other Software products that support ELSTER

Electronic submission of tax returns, applications and messages is also possible with a variety of commercial software products: List of software products

Information on

Benefits and advantages of electronic tax returns

  • Transfer of data from the previous year
  • Pre-filled tax return (retrieval of certificates)
  • Collection of documents and use for the tax return
  • Plausibility check during transmission leads to significantly fewer queries from the tax office
  • Non-binding tax calculation
  • Display of your notification data and comparison with the transmitted values
  • Receive your income tax assessment digitally

Pre-filled tax return (retrieval of certificates)

The pre-filled tax return is a free service offered by the tax authorities to make it easier for you to prepare your income tax return. More Information

You must first register with an identification number View the glossary for identification numbers in Mein Elster: To Register

Submission of documents for the income tax return

The submission of receipts is only required if requested by the tax office. Further information

Digital documents and notifications

You can receive your income tax assessment notice and various other documents and notices digitally. To do this, you must give your consent to the electronic provision of notices and other correspondence once. Consent to electronic disclosure

Which documents and notifications are provided?

Electronic income tax card (ELStAM)

The information on your electronic income tax card is available in Mein ELSTER. More Information

The prerequisite is registration with an identification number in Mein ELSTER: To Register

Wage tax certificate

After closing the payroll account, the employer is obliged to send an electronic wage tax statement to the tax authorities. This must be given to the employee as a printout or provided electronically. Frequently asked questions about the wage tax certificate

Digital powers of attorney

You can submit powers of attorney electronically to your tax office. The power of attorney also includes the retrieval of data stored by the tax authorities (certificate retrieval). You can find further information on the various forms of power of attorney in the help section. Manage powers of attorney.

Legal matters

Information on legal obligations and regulations can be found at LegalInformation