The official forms in ELSTER require a good knowledge of German tax terminology. Tax software turns your return into a simple questionnaire and helps you find possible deductions.

Taxfix: simplicity on your smartphone

Taxfix is aimed at employees and students. The app works as a step-by-step questionnaire in German and English. It calculates your estimated refund for free, and you pay (around €39.99) only when you actually submit your return.

WISO Steuer: for more complex cases

WISO Steuer has repeatedly performed well in independent tests in Germany. It suits families, car owners, investors and self-employed people. Its Steuer-Automatik feature imports data the tax office already holds, and explanatory videos show ways to optimise.

SteuerGo: browser-based and multilingual

SteuerGo runs in your browser without installation and offers an interface in several languages, including English. It explains in detail deductions relevant to people from abroad, such as support payments to relatives abroad.

Direct submission to the tax office

All major tax programmes are officially certified and transmit your data in encrypted form directly to the tax office through the ELSTER interface. You do not need to print forms or post receipts.

What to check

  • Calculate your refund for free in several programmes before paying.
  • Use the automatic import of data from your employer and health insurance fund.
  • Check whether the software has guidance on relocation and household set-up costs.
  • Save the final calculation and the submission record in your archive.

Example situation

A professional completes her return in WISO Steuer in 45 minutes; the software points out the deduction for maintaining a second household and increases her estimated refund by €600.

Next step

Tax software often pays for itself the first time you use it, because it points out deductions people miss when filling in ELSTER by hand.

Official information on this topic

Checklists and examples are organisational recommendations. Requirements depend on the procedure, the city and your situation; check them with the relevant office before you act. Please discuss legal and tax questions with an authorised professional.

This article was prepared with the help of AI. The example illustrates the approach and does not describe a client case.