ELSTER procedures
Electronic tax return · Tax authorities
ELSTER (ELektronische STeuerERklärung) is the free online portal of the German tax authorities. More than 45 million users submit their tax returns, provisional VAT returns and other forms here.
NEW 2026: digital tax notice (Steuerbescheid) as standard (paper only on request). MeinELSTER+ app from 31 March 2026 with 1-click filing.
Last updated
27 August 2026
Competent authority
Tax authorities (Federation and federal states)
Verification
Checked by AmtsDeutschland.de
Written and reviewed byAndrés Sánchez Botta
Independent information website: we are not ELSTER or the tax administration, not an authority and not a paid advice service — we do not submit applications on your behalf. All information comes from official sources and is explained here in plain language; binding information always comes from the competent body. All information is provided without guarantee.
We are neither lawyers nor tax consultants: we document official procedures and check the information against the official source — this is information, not legal or tax advice.