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How-to

How to file your German tax return via ELSTER

Articles explain general principles and are for information only. They do not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice. Real outcomes depend on residence, income structure, documents and timing.

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In Germany, filing your tax return is done primarily online through ELSTER, the official tax portal. The process looks simple: log in, complete the forms, submit, and save the receipt. What is less visible is that ELSTER does more than transmit data. It fixes how you are recorded in the tax system. For standard situations this is routine. For non-standard ones, this first submission defines how your case will be treated going forward.

  • In Germany, tax returns are filed mainly online via ELSTER.
  • You log in with a certificate or account credentials.
  • You complete the main form and the required annexes.
  • After submission, you receive a transfer protocol as proof.
  • The system not only accepts your data but also classifies your case.

Steps

  1. Access ELSTER

    Go to elster.de and sign in using your certificate file, password, or another approved login method. If you do not yet have access, registration must be completed before you can file.

  2. Open a new tax return

    Start a new Einkommensteuererklärung for the relevant tax year. Make sure you select the correct year before entering any data.

  3. Review prefilled data

    ELSTER may show prefilled information such as employer data or previous details. This saves time, but it does not guarantee correctness. Always treat prefilled data as a draft, not as a final answer.

  4. Complete the main form

    Fill in your personal details, address, and general tax information. These fields define how your file is assigned within the tax administration.

  5. Add the required annexes

    Include the annexes that match your situation, for example Anlage N for employment income or Vorsorgeaufwand for insurance contributions. Use only the annexes that apply to you.

  6. Enter income and deductions

    Report your income and deductible expenses in the relevant sections. Follow the instructions for each annex instead of leaving required fields empty.

  7. Validate the return

    Use ELSTER's validation check to identify missing or inconsistent entries. Validation errors do not always mean the situation is wrong, but they must be resolved before submission.

  8. Submit the return

    Submit the tax return electronically through ELSTER. Once sent, changes are no longer immediate and usually require a formal correction process.

Important note about classification and consequences

This guide explains how to file your tax return via ELSTER from a technical point of view. It does not show what happens to you after the form is submitted. When you send the return, you are not just providing data. The tax system records you with a specific classification: how it sees your status, your income, and your connection to Germany. In a standard situation, this has no real consequences. In a non-standard situation, this moment determines how you will be treated going forward.

Tips

  • Treat prefilled data as a starting point, not as confirmed truth.
  • Always keep a copy of the submitted return and the transfer protocol.
  • Do not rush validation warnings — they often point to real inconsistencies.
  • File early to leave room for corrections if needed.
  • Remember that submission fixes how your case enters the system.
Mathieu Fiscalis
Mathieu Fiscalis

AI assistant – Taxes & Cross-Border Tax

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FAQ

Yes. ELSTER is the official digital portal for filing tax returns and is the main channel used by the German tax administration.

To submit a technically correct return on time so your case is properly registered and processed in the tax system.

The tax office processes your data and issues a tax assessment notice (Steuerbescheid), which confirms how your return has been handled.

This guide is enough if your situation is standard: income only from Germany, one source of income, a clear tax status, and a typical personal situation.

If you have income from other countries, work remotely, live across several countries, run your own activity, or have mixed statuses in a household, this guide covers the mechanics of ELSTER but not how your situation is classified in the system.

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Mathieu Fiscalis
Mathieu Fiscalis

AI assistant – Taxes & Cross-Border Tax

Mathieu Fiscalis