ELSTER Tax Portal General Information

Prerequisites

To use the online portal "Mein ELSTER" you need:

• Internet access and a suitable device (computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone)
• Registration with "Mein ELSTER"
• Your tax identification number or tax number
• ELSTER certificate for secure login (The certificate is created during registration.)
• Current browser software that supports ELSTER (for example, Chrome, Firefox or Edge)

You will need a card reader or the AusweisApp if you wish to use the electronic identity of your identity card for registration.

Documents required

• no
• You may need documents to prepare your tax return.

Please note

With the "pre-filled tax return," you can access previously saved data, such as your wage tax statement, and insert it directly into your tax return. You can use this service via "Mein ELSTER" and third-party programs like DATEV or WISO.

The "Elster account inquiry" provides you with access to your tax account information, such as outstanding amounts or payments made. It is available daily from 4:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. and displays the previous day's account balance. As a tax advisor, you can also access your clients' accounts via the power of attorney database.

To access your tax account information or use the power of attorney procedure, you need a registered user account with an organizational certificate. Registration is done via ElsterSecure, a security token, or a signature card.

For business tax returns and returns prepared by tax advisors, you need electronic authentication.

Deadlines

• no


• The usual legal deadlines apply for submitting your tax return.


• A certificate file is valid for 3 years. You will be notified several times in advance about the renewal. If you miss the renewal deadline, you can request renewed access.

Procedure

You can register with Mein ELSTER as follows:

• You create a user account at www.elster.de.
• You choose between "private individual" or "organization".
• They follow the instructions.

You have five options for registering with "Mein ELSTER":

• Certificate file (on your computer)
• ElsterSecure (on your mobile device)
• New identity card (comfort access)
• Security stick
• Signature card

As an employer, you should use the organizational certificate that is assigned to your tax identification number for this purpose.

If you have registered with “Mein ELSTER” using “ElsterSecure” or “certificate file”, you will receive an email with an activation ID and a letter with an activation code.

If you register as a private individual using login via personal ID card with activated online ID function or Nect (auto-identification procedure), you will receive access immediately.

Without registration, you can use the following products, for example:

• ELSTER contact form: You can send a message to the responsible office and attach a file.
• You can submit a questionnaire for tax registration.
• simplyELSTER: You can submit your income tax return in a simplified way. This service is currently only designed for certain groups of people, such as retirees or pensioners.

Processing time

no

Fees

no

Legal remedies

No legal remedy is provided for.

Legal basis

no